Embracing smart air purification system to reduce air pollution

Globally, about 8.7 million people die every year from an invisible yet deadly killer- air pollution- according to a study published in the Environmental Research.

According to the research, exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from burning fossil fuels kills more people each year than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria put together.

Asides from fossil fuels, other indoor sources of air pollution are dust particles, airborne microbes, pollen, cigarettes and other tobacco products, deteriorating asbestos, cleaning agents, insecticides, wall paints, newly installed flooring, upholstery, and smoke escaping into the home from outside.

Now more than ever, it has become glaring that air pollution is not only fueling climate change but a major environmental risk to health.

This awareness is why countries are putting efforts to reduce the risk of ailments such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.

To curb the deadly effects of indoor air pollution, the Vice President of Ultimus Holdings, David Ewemie has called on the Nigerian government and citizens to embrace smart air purification systems.

Ewemie disclosed this during the launch of Aura Air, a provider of all-in-one indoor air purification and quality intelligence system.

He explained that with the detection of the novel coronavirus and the countless number of harmful substances causing air pollution which humans are exposed to daily, the world’s entire healthcare system has been thrown into a chaotic state.

“This has birthed the need for effective medical technologies and initiatives to mitigate the rise and efficacy of this virus and other types of viruses that are harmful to the human body”, Ewemie said.

Lawal Oyetunde, the Business Development Manager, Viarmor Healthcare Limited, a subsidiary of Ultimus Holdings, also said, “The United Nations documented in 2019 that indoor air pollution is a global public emergency.

We have seen an increase in the time we all get to spend indoors these days, however, what most of us are not aware of are the substances we are exposed to indoors that are harmful to our health and general wellbeing.”

According to Oyetunde, particulate matter, also known as atmospheric aerosol particles, are microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere of the earth.

While PM 10 includes particles such as dust, pollen, mold, PM 2.5 is made up of particles such as combustion particles, organic compounds, metals, and bacteria.

As such, the effect of inhaling particulate matter has been proven to result in asthma, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, premature delivery, birth defects among many others health conditions.

Commenting on how the Aura Air innovation improves healthcare delivery Mr. Elvis Krivokuća, Product Director, Viarmor Healthcare Limited, said,

“We are infusing technology with HealthCare as this smart device is data-driven and uses user behavior algorithm, through the Aura Air app to purify the air quality within a space.

It removes contaminants from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality. It is a new era of air purification and disinfection technology. Aura Air targets and disinfects 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, mold , and volatile organic compounds.

It removes gas and captures 99.9% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns including allergens.

Three unique features of this device are that; it has been clinically tested to kill 99.7% of Coronavirus indoors, it is readily available in the Nigerian market at the moment and could also serve as a smoke detector.”