According to the New South Wales Department of Health there is “compelling and consistent evidence about how air pollution can affect peoples health”. The following are some of the facts and statistics cited by the NSW Health Department in relation to air pollution:
Health & Financial Impacts
- 2.3% of all deaths in Australia are attributable to air pollution
- In the Greater Sydney Metropolitan region between 640-1400 people die prematurely each year from the effects of air pollution.
- Air pollution causes more premature deaths in NSW each year than road accidents
- As a result of Air Pollution, each year there are approximately 2000 cases of hospitalisations in the Greater Sydney metropolitan region.
- The annual health cost of air pollution to NSW is estimated at $4.7 billion.
What does air pollution outside consist of and how does it affect our lungs?
Outdoor air pollution commonly consists of carbon monoxide, nitrates, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, smoke and fine particulate matter. Particulate matter is considered by medical scientists as the most lung damaging contaminant. Fine particles smaller than 10 microns and particularly less than 2.5 microns build up in the lungs. Essentially, the lungs act as a filter for these fine particles. The effect of breathing fine particle pollution over the long term is reduced lung capacity. By the time the average person reaches the age of 50, they have lost approximately half of their lung capacity.
How can an air purifier help with air pollution?
If you are concerned about the effects of air pollution on you or your family’s health, an air purifier can make a significant improvement in the air quality in your home. In the average home air is exchanged every day by outside air, even with the windows and doors closed, which means the pollutants outside quickly buildup indoors. By continuously filtering the air in your home an InovaAir air purifier can create a safe environment by removing the fine particles and chemicals from the air.