British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia supported Clean Air Day on Thursday 20 June 2024. This #CleanAirDay highlighted that cars and vans are the biggest source of toxic chemicals in our air, according to official data and that we should call on our next government to clean it up. Clean Air Day is led by environmental charity Global Action Plan and is the UK’s largest campaign on air pollution. It aims to improve public understanding of air pollution, build awareness of how air pollution affects our health, and explain the easy actions we can all take to tackle air pollution, helping protect the environment and our health.
New research reflects Clean Air Day’s theme this year, revealing that PM2.5 particulates from vehicle and industrial activities are detrimental to cardiovascular and respiratory health. An analysis1 of over 60m US seniors from 2000 to 2016, demonstrated a 29% rise in cardiovascular hospital admissions linked to average US levels of PM2.5 compared to lower World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guideline levels. Furthermore, another study2 highlighted that even exposure to PM2.5 below WHO’s recommended threshold can significantly increase hospital visits for heart and lung issues. With the UK’s PM2.5 limits substantially exceeding WHO’s guidelines, these studies underscore the urgency for more rigorous air pollution regulations.
“At Vent-Axia we are supporting Clean Air Day since we know how air pollution affects the health and wellbeing of the whole body and the serious effects it has on our cardiovascular health,” said Katie Mairs, channel marketing manager at Vent-Axia. “External air pollution is a significant risk to our health but we cannot ignore indoor air pollution too. PM2.5 can be generated by cars and vans which can enter the home but we also have to remember that these particulates can be generated in home by wood burning stoves or gas cookers. We are committed to tackling indoor air pollution and improve indoor air quality. We are therefore encouraging everyone to take three main actions: Reduce the number of pollutants introduced into the air; Dilute the pollutants in the air by ensuring there is adequate ventilation introducing fresh clean air; and Purify by adding an air purifier to remove the remaining pollutants from the air.”
As well as PM2.5 indoor air can contain over 900 chemicals, particulates, biological materials, viruses and bacteria. Each of us breathes 9,000 litres of air a day, so poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect the health of everyone in the home. Even naturally occurring CO2 can have an impact on our health with high levels of 2,000-5,000 PPM causing headaches, sleepiness, poor concentration, increased heart rate and slight nausea. This year Clean Air Day is highlighting cars and vans are the biggest source of toxic chemicals in our air, with this focus on PM2.5 the air we breathe indoors is more critical than ever.
To help protect health in the home, Vent-Axia has been working to provide ventilation solutions to improve IAQ. To find out more visit: https://www.cleanairhub.org.uk/clean-air-day.