WINIX Plasmawave technology harnesses nature’s ability to clean the air and recreates this safe and effective process in our air purifiers. Our technology provides a safe and short electrical discharge to create ions with dual polarity (positive and negative) and disperse them in the air. When these ions attach to the surface of air pollutants, such as bacteria or viruses, they naturally remove hydrogen from the molecular structure of these air pollutants. This eliminates them, resulting in cleaner and healthier air.

Why WINIX PlasmaWave® Technology

• Helps to reduces household odors from cooking, pets and cigarette smoke.
•  Helps to reduces viruses and bacteria from your indoor air.
• Helps to reduce mold spores.
• Increases your indoor air quality by reducing static electricity so that air pollutants are captured by the air purifiers airflow, which directs them into the multi-stage filtration process.

How does it work?

1. The PlasmaWave technology of our air purifiers creates a short electrical discharge to create dual polarity ions from humidity that are diffused in the room. This electrical discharge only occurs for a short period of time (nanoseconds) and is therefore 100% safe.
2. These are + hydrogen (H+) and – oxygen ions (-O2). The ions attach to the surface of air pollutants to form Hydroxyls by removing hydrogen from the structure of air pollutants.
3. This interaction removes air pollutants and allows the ions to use the missing hydrogen ion, which was removed from the structure of the air pollutants, to return as humidity (H2O).

Why is PlasmaWave® Technology better than other technologies?

The WINIX Plasmawave technology can be misclassified as an “ionizer” and confused with negative ion generation technology. Our technology is much better because it produces both positive and negative ions. This while an air purifier with only ionization only produces negative ions. An air purifier with an ionization air purifier system does not eliminate air pollutants.

Instead, negative ions force pollutant particles to group together so that they are weighed down and land on the surface of furniture and floors. In addition, an air purifier with an ionization function often generates harmful ozone. Everyday activities such as walking or vacuuming can reintroduce these contaminants by moving them back into the air. Only our Plasmawave® Technology effectively reduces the density of air pollutants.

Watch the short video to understand the our air purifier filtration process:

Is WINIX PlasmaWave® technology safe?

WINIX Plasmawave Technology is fully compliant with the Californian Air Resource Board AB 2276 standard, the most stringent US certification criterion for indoor ozone emissions. To meet these requirements, all our air purifiers are tested for electronic safety and that they have ozone emission qualifications below the limit value of 0.05 parts per million. This allows you to use any of our air purifiers with confidence at all times to create pure and clean indoor air.

For those who still want to use an air purifier at home without any technology, but with the highest quality H13 HEPA filter (99,999%), Plasmawave® Technology can be easily switched off on all our air purifiers. Our technology is incorporated in all our air purifier models, such as the WINIX ZERO Compact, WINIX ZERO and WINIX ZERO Pro.

What is hay fever and what are its symptoms?

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy to pollen that is released from grass, trees, or plants in the genus Ambrosia. All these plants release pollen grains during their reproduction cycle. These grains are so small that they float through the air and can easily be inhaled. People who suffer from allergic rhinitis react heavily to the pollen, which causes the membranes to swell up, asthma attacks, and other symptoms.

During an attack, different symptoms can occur such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, or watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes. These symptoms can worsen depending on the weather conditions and the environment where one lives. On dry and windy days, a lot of pollen will be floating in the air. While on rainy days, pollen tends to stay on the ground and affects people with hay fever less.

In addition, the air quality has deteriorated over the years. The amount of particulate matter in the air has increased, and our air’s chemical mixture has changed. This in turn impairs nature’s ability to reduce the amount of pollen in the air. The pollen will remain stagnant in the air we breathe, instead of escaping to the atmosphere.

­The outside environment is largely out of our control; however, we can control our indoor environment. There are effective air purifiers for Hay fever. A True HEPA filter included in all Winix air purifiers eliminates 99.97% of all particulate matter, pollen, and allergens to enjoy clean and healthy air at home. Hay fever and other allergies can definitely be controlled at home with an air purifier!

Parents often tell us what measurements could help against hay fever. Rain showers or a spoonful of honey might help reduce symptoms. But does it really help? We’re shedding light on the most common myths and facts surrounding hay fever.

Hay fever has nothing to do with hay

Fact: Back in the early 19^th century it was assumed that freshly cut hay was causing the problem, hence the name hay fever. Nothing turned out to be less true. Symptoms persisted when sniffing a bouquet or when wandering through the woods. The role of the immune system in allergic reactions has not yet been understood. Nowadays we know that some immune systems react more violently to pollen, which triggers well-known symptoms. Read more about the causes and symptoms of hay fever.

Once hay fever, always hay fever

Fact: only if you’re lucky. Typically we assume that hay fever starts between 10-30 years and gradually wears off as we get older. Good news, according to Swedish study symptoms might most likely disappear when people were in their 50s. Half of the people indeed see their symptoms diminish, and for the lucky 20% among us, hay fever completely disappears. The rest, however, continue to suffer every year from the recurring pollen season.

Around 30 and never had hay fever before? This does not necessarily mean that you can no longer experience it. In some cases, people are struck down by hay fever symptoms in their 30s or 40s. Even though they have never experienced hay fever before during their childhood.

Less hay fever symptoms after rain

It depends on the amount of rain. Many hay fever patients pray for rain to rinse the pollen out of the air. Although light and moderate rainfall does stop pollen from spreading through the air, heavy rain can cause the opposite effect. Researchers noted a rise in visits to outpatients for allergic rhinitis after heavy rain or typhoons.

The crucial point is on 10 cm of rainfall. Researchers have compared 14 years of meteorological data and pollen count. They discovered that the levels of pollen fell after less than 10 cm of rain, but rose if there was more than 10 cm. Due to heavy rain and strong wind, the pollen becomes airborne once again.

Take a shower

Fact:  After you’ve been outside, pollen may be in your hair or on your clothes. A shower could help to prevent symptoms, especially before going to bed. It might get annoying when pollen ends up on the pillows. Sneezing before going to sleep and getting up with swollen eyes.

To reduce the pollen in your living environment put your clothes immediately into the washing machine. Do you want to keep your house pollen-free? Consider purchasing an air purifier. The Winix Zero is a powerful air purifier tested and certified to be helpful with allergies.

Hay fever is worse during the day

It really depends on where you live, which plants are in your area, and what makes you get an allergic reaction.

In various places in Poland, concentrations of the most common pollen were measured over a 24-hour period. This analysis shows that the levels of Ambrosia pollen, for which the majority of people are allergic, were higher during the day.

The temperature also is a key factor. As the temperature rises during the day, the pollen rise with it. At night pollen drops again and the pollen concentration on the ground surface increases. So by the morning people will sometimes suffer more from hay fever.

Antihistamines against hay fever make you sleepy

Used to be a fact, but now antihistamine doesn’t have this side effect anymore. The drug contains substances that counteract the action of histamine, thereby combating the allergy reaction. Sleepiness was one of the side effects of the first generation of antihistamines. This medicine was not bad for the evening. But during the day it can cause problems. Fortunately, this problem was solved in the ‘80s and ‘90s by introducing the second generation of antihistamines without the symptoms of drowsiness.

Honey can reduce the symptoms of hay fever

During a small study in the US, the test panel each received one of three jars: pasteurized honey, unpasteurized honey, or a placebo. The participants did not know which pot they were receiving and took a tablespoon every day in addition to their usual hay fever treatment. The results of the investigations show that none of the honey types made a difference in the severity of the symptoms.

Air Purifiers has never been more important

Our outside air is polluted by traffic, industry and the agricultural sector, but did you know that indoor air is often 10-30 times more polluted than outside? The harmful effects of indoor air pollution have become increasingly known in recent years. For prolonged exposure, this can cause lung, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. In Europe alone, around 400,000 people have died prematurely in 2014 due to polluted air (European Environment Agency, Air Quality in Europe, 2017 report).

Not everyone is aware that particulate matter and chemical by-products arise indoors on a continuous basis. This can come from various sources like cleaning products, aerosol cans, cooking, wood stoves, cigarette smoke, renovation, paint, dust movement, contaminated outdoor air.

Today’s houses are very well insulated for good reasons since we need to be energy-efficient. But in case of insufficient ventilation, fungi can quickly emerge. In the summer opening a window is therefore highly recommended provided the outside air is clean, but in winter this is of course not always convenient.

When you use a WINIX air purifier at home and/or at the office you ensure that you continue to breathe in clean air at all times while you are indoors. WINIX has a solution for all conditions and therefore has air purifiers for all areas such as your bedroom, living room and even for your office. All WINIX air purifiers are equipped with high-quality pre-filters, carbon filters, HEPA (H13) filters and the unique WINIX PlasmaWave air purifier Technology.

Why is it important that an Air Purifier is Certified?

Air purifiers play a very important role in maintaining a healthy indoor air environment, especially now in the current situation. In order to ensure minimum health risks, it is important to buy an air purifier with appropriate certifications. The best air purifiers last for years, which makes it very important that the device has the highest available standards. Air purifiers are only eligible for certifications after it has gone through extensive tests. These tests are all being performed in a secured environment with exposure to all types of hazardous particulates and all potential hazards are measured individually.

Most people consider buying a Winix air purifier with a HEPA filter for health reasons. Air purifiers can refresh stale air, greatly reducing the chances of health issues caused by indoor pollutants. These can trigger respiratory infections, neurological problems, and worsen asthma symptoms. The best air purifiers minimize and eliminate several indoor air pollutants, including house dust mites, pets dander, pollen, and mold.

The HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is proven to be the most effective filter out there and it is vital to be eligible for certifications. A certified air purifier with a HEPA filter should give you all the security you need that you are breathing the cleanest air possible.

People with underlying medical conditions can benefit greatly from buying a certified air purifier as it will improve their quality of life. That’s why the importance of certifications on air purifiers cannot be understated.

What certifications do WINIX Air Purifiers hold?

Winix air purifiers hold both ECARF and Allergy UK certifications, which are the most important in Europe for air purifiers. Winix air purifiers also have other certifications such as AHAM, the most important in the United States.

ECARF certification

Winix is ​​proud to be certified by ECARF.

ECARF stands for European Center for Allergy Research Foundation and it was founded in 2003 and based in Berlin, Germany. Their first seal of approval was granted in 2006. Their mission, as stated by their Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. med. Dr. C. Torsten Zuberbier: “The mission of the non-profit European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) is to ensure that people with allergies receive the best possible guidance in everyday matters and treatment options.”

ECARF does not only test air purifiers, but a range of other products such as cosmetics, food, hotels, leather products, vacuum cleaners, and many more. In order for a product to be eligible for an ECARF certification, it will have to be submitted to a series of tests designed by 15 leading international scientists and technicians. All of these tests are performed in an enclosed climate chamber. Only the best air purifiers pass these tests and needless to say all Winix air purifiers pass these tests with flying colours.

The criteria for ECARF testing:

• Minimum Efficiency at the most penetrating particle size (> 0.1 – <0.3 μm):> 85%
• Collection Efficiency at particle size 0.5 μm (Bacteria, fine dust):> 90%
• Collection Efficiency at particle size> 3 μm (mold spores, pollen):> 95%
• Ozone release: <7 ppb
• Temperature difference (room temperature compared to exhaust air): <0.3 K
• The exhaust air has a neutral odour
• The device bears an instruction plate that gives information about the maximum room size for which 95% of all particles > 3 μm are filtered out within one hour.
• Devices with less than 200 m³/hour performance have < 32 dB on the lowest setting.

Allergy UK certification

The British Allergy Foundation was formed in 1991 by a group of leading UK allergists who believed that those living with allergies have the right to good quality support, education, and advice about their condition throughout their lives. The UK health system only provides limited allergy services and the British Allergy Foundation, operating as Allergy UK since 2001, is the charitable organization established to fill the gap and provide this support. It also lobbies and advocates for improved recognition of the seriousness of allergy and its impact on the quality of life of those living with allergic disease. Their mission: “Our mission is to raise the profile of allergy at all levels across the UK and our vision is that everyone affected by allergy receives the best possible care and support.”

Some examples of performed tests

In order for a device to be approved, the air purifiers will be subjected to a number of tests, including Airflow (measured in m3/h) which calculates the CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate). It gives insight into how much time is needed to fully refresh the air in a particular room.

Another example of a test being performed is the Efficiency Tests. The air purifier is being exposed to different sizes of dust particles in an enclosed room to measure its effectiveness when it comes to cleansing air.

Odour (gas) tests are also being performed. The air purifier is exposed to multiple types of gases and turned on at maximum filtration speed for a short amount of time to measure how quickly and effectively it can neutralize odours.

Watch the video below to see how the Winix Zero Air Purifier filters dirty air (completely polluted with smoke) from the environment effectively:

The Air Purifier Zero Compact has been granted the iF Design Award

We are proud to announce that the modern and outstanding design of the Winix Zero Compact, has been recognized with the prestigious iF Design Award.

The Zero Compact is the latest of our air purifiers that have been granted a Design Award proving once again that Winix air purifiers not only stand out for their high performance, and the quality of their materials but also for their design.

The WINIX A332, our Amazon-exclusive model has been also rewarded with the iF Design Award this year.

iF Design Award

Each year, iF International Forum Design GmbH organizes one of the world’s most celebrated and valued product design competitions: the iF Design Award. This award is recognized around the world as a symbol of excellence with almost 10.000 submissions in 2021 across 60 countries.

Their six followed guiding principles as mentioned on their website:

• To identify, support, and promote good design
• To raise awareness of design among the public and the role it plays in our lives
• To help companies integrate design into their long-term strategies
• To safeguard the role of professional designer and boost awareness for this job profile
• To effect social change through design
• To support talented young people and create a public platform for young designers

About the Winix Zero Compact:

The Winix Zero Compact is Winix’s newest air purifier which is part of the 2021 line-up. This device doesn’t take up a lot of space but its performance stands out. With a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) of 250 m³/h, the Winix Zero Compact will provide you and your family with the cleanest air in rooms up to 50m² and will remove air pollutants like Viruses, Bacteria, Pollen, Pet dander, Smoke, Mold spores, VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and Household odors. This is possible thanks to its 4 stage filtration system: Fine mesh pre-filter, Carbon filter, True HEPA filter (99,97%), and the unique Winix PlasmaWave Technology.

Combined with its affordable price, the Zero Compact is the best air purifier on the market for small- to medium-sized rooms.

We believe that performance should be the number one concern when choosing an air purifier to keep your family healthy. However, the air purifier should also be attractive to look at to make it blend in cleanly with the rest of the furniture. Winix has designed the Zero Compact with elegance in mind. This is evident by the placement of the touch panel and the absence of buttons on the device itself.

Because of its cylindric shape, it looks modern and can be placed almost anywhere in a room without taking up too much space.

What is a HEPA filter and why is it important?

When choosing an air purifier for your home or office, the element to look at is clearly the HEPA filter. The quality of the HEPA filter used by the air purifier is key, as it is the most important element in the filtration process, cleaning the air of particles that are harmful to health and releasing clean air.

HEPA filters are the reason why so many air purifiers have been installed during the current pandemic in schools, hospitals and offices, and the reason why air purifiers are useful in improving the quality of life of those who suffer from allergies and asthma.

But what are HEPA filters? How do they work? Why are they so effective against viruses, bacteria, and allergens? Here you will find everything you need to know.

What is a HEPA filter?

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are filters with a great capacity to filter small particles (really tiny ones!). HEPA filters remove more than 99.9% of the particles from the air stream that passes through them. These particles can be allergens, viruses, bacteria, chemical compounds, dust and many more.

This is of great help for people with asthma, allergies or those who suffer from respiratory problems. These types of filters are becoming very important during the COVID-19 crisis by helping to reduce the virus indoors, thus reducing the spread of the virus.

How do HEPA filters work?

The operation is simple. Air purifiers absorb air, pass the air through a series of filters (including the HEPA filter), and release clean air into the room. The filter is composed of a mesh of randomly placed fibers, which are usually layers of cellulose, synthetic fiber or glass fibers. These fibers are arranged in an accordion shape, which gives them a greater capacity to capture the particles. The HEPA filter easily removes pathogens larger than 0.3 microns.

HEPA filter efficiency

To choose between one air purifier or another, you need to know what type of HEPA filter each purifier uses. Therefore, you must start by knowing what percentage of particles the different types of HEPA filters are capable of holding.

Currently it is not possible to achieve 100% filtration, although this technology is very close to it, because a HEPA filter retains 99.9% of the Most Penetrating Particles (MPPS) of 0.12 to 0.25 microns. A HEPA filter is able to do this with the smallest and Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS), now imagine how effective they are against particles larger than one micron, which are those particles that viruses tend to have attached to. They are even easier to filter and retain by the HEPA filter. Therefore, the efficiency of a HEPA filter is almost 100%.

There is no more effective air treatment technology at this time.

The HEPA Filter must be certified

When choosing a HEPA filter, it is essential that it is certified. To be certified, HEPA filters and air purifiers must pass certain tests. In Europe, HEPA filters must remove at least 99.95% of particles from the air. In the United States, on the other hand, at least 99.97% of the particles must be filtered.

In Europe. HEPA filters are classified by the UNE-EN 1822-1: 2020 standard.

The EN 1822 standard tells us that there are 3 main categories of filters or classes called: EPA, HEPA and ULPA filters, varying the retention efficiency of particles from lower capacity (EPA) to higher retention capacity in filters (ULPA). ULPA is used essentially in hospitals and laboratories. The HEPA H13 and True HEPA filters are the most widely used filters today for homes, schools and offices as they allow effective filtration and have an affordable price.

• EPA “Efficient Particulate Air”, with classification levels: E10, E11 and E12.
• HEPA “High Efficiency Particulate Air”, which include two levels of classification: H13 with an efficiency of 99.95% and H14 with 99.995%. The True HEPA Filter (99,97%) performance is in between the H13 and H14.
• ULPA “Ultra Low Penetration Air”, with three levels of classification U15, U16 and U17.

The True HEPA Filter (American classification) is the one used by WINIX in our air purifiers, it is between H13 and H14 (European classification), filtering 99.97% of the particles.

What is the True HEPA filter? The type of filter most used by WINIX air purifiers

In the US to be considered a True HEPA filter, a HEPA filter must be certified to remove 99.97% of all microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. 0.3 microns is the smallest particle size that enters the lungs. Microns, which are one millionth of a meter, are how particles are measured. It is impossible for the human eye to observe anything smaller than 10 microns.

Here are some of the types of particles that a True HEPA filter can capture:

The True HEPA filter fibers captures particles in four different ways:

• INERTIAL IMPACTION

Inertia works on large, heavy particles suspended in the flow stream. These particles are heavier than the fluid surrounding them. As the fluid changes direction to enter the fibre space, the particle continues in a straight line and collides with the media fibres where it is trapped and held.

• INTERCEPTION

Direct interception works on particles in the mid-range size that are not quite large enough to have inertia and not small enough to diffuse within the flow stream. These mid-sized particles follow the flow stream as it bends through the fibre spaces. Particles are intercepted or captured when they touch a fibre.

• DIFFUSION

Diffusion works on the smallest particles. Small particles are not held in place by the viscous fluid (air) and diffuse within the flow stream. This means that the smaller a particle is, the more likely it is to traverse the flow stream, making it more likely to collide with the fibre and be collected.

• SIEVING

Sieving, the most common mechanism in filtration, occurs when the particle is too large to fit between the fibre spaces.

Thanks to these 4 types of filtration, the True HEPA filter can capture 99.97% of airborne particles that are harmful to our health.

Now you know everything you need to be able to choose an air purifier with a HEPA filter suitable for your needs. You may also be interested in knowing how Winix’s PlasmaWave technology works, which is effective in reducing airborne viruses and the perfect complement to the True HEPA filter in our air purifiers.

How to choose the best bedroom air purifier

The air quality in your bedroom may be affecting your sleep. Air pollutants like dust or mold can make it harder for you to sleep and that’s why getting an air purifier for your bedroom can be a great idea. The best bedroom air purifier should be quiet and make your life more comfortable by preventing respiratory problems, without you noticing.

Breathing continuously in a closed and poorly ventilated space has short-term and long-term health effects.

We spend most of our time at home in the bedroom and about a third of our lives sleeping and having a bedroom air purifier protects us against asthma, allergies, mold, pollutants, bacteria, and airborne viruses.

What to look for when choosing a bedroom air purifier?

When you start looking for the best bedroom air purifier, there are some must-have specs to consider:

• The air purifier must use a quality HEPA filter (in addition to a carbon filter and a pre-filter)

HEPA filters are the key elements of an air purifier, HEPA Filter “is an acronym for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air” filter and they remove more than 99.9% of particles from the air.

• The air purifier has a sleep mode

The noise the device makes is another important factor when choosing a bedroom air purifier. You are definitely going to want a silent night air purifier. All Winix air purifiers have a sleep mode. A silent air purifier with sleep mode operates at a very low noise level, the air purifier has to be quiet enough not to interrupt your sleep. To find out if an air purifier is quiet, you have to look at the decibel level.

Lights off: If the air purifier has a sleep mode, in addition to operating silently, it usually also turns off the light on the device so that it does not distract you when you sleep. Ideally, your air purifier should have an auto mode, to automatically detect the air quality and the light levels so you don’t have to adjust the speed manually. The best air purifier for sleep should have all of the above.

• The air purifier has a maximum room capacity suitable for your bedroom

It is important to consider the size of your bedroom. The size of the room each air purifier can clean is different, and you need one that is capable of filtering all the air in your bedroom. Also, if you have a room smaller than the stated maximum capacity of an air purifier, it means that you will be cleaning the air in that same room a greater number of times. Which is fantastic!

The WINIX ZERO, for example, has a maximum capacity of 99m², which is why it is capable of cleaning the air in a small or medium room very effectively, even operating in sleep mode.

•  The air purifier is certified

Air purifiers must be certified by independent and recognized agencies, such as ECARF or Allergy UK, that way you make sure that the air purifier is effective and will help you clean the air in your bedroom.

• The size and design of the air purifier is right for your room

It is very likely that, if you have a small or a medium size bedroom, you do not want a very large device occupying all the space. The size and design of the air purifier is also something to consider when choosing your bedroom air purifier. The WINIX ZERO Compact has a maximum capacity of 50m², perfect for any bedroom, and a small size ideal for those with less space.

All Winix air purifiers meet the above requirements, thanks to the experience of almost fifty years of manufacturing the best air purifiers.

The main reasons to have a bedroom air purifier:

1. You spend a lot of time in your bedroom

If you spend a lot of time in your bedroom, you also spend most of your time breathing there. The effects of an air purifier are best felt when used in the room where you spend most of the time, as you will be constantly exposed to clean air and the short and long-term effects of using an air purifier will be greater.

2.  Your bedroom is completely full of allergens and VOCs!

Your bedroom, like most people’s, is a breeding ground for countless allergens like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores. A good bedroom air purifier can help you rest easy and eliminate bothersome symptoms if you or your partner have allergies or asthma. We must not forget the VOCs either.

3. Your bedroom has strange smells

Bedrooms can develop a strange smell over time. This may be due to the age of the house, humidity, old furniture, cigarette smoke, among many other things. The carbon filter in air purifiers deals with odors.

4. You or your partner snore

Air purifiers can help to reduce snoring! One of the main causes of snoring is allergens, which causes nasal congestion and leads to snoring.

Where to place the air purifier?

Ideally, your air purifier should be placed on a flat and stable surface. The best place to put the air purifier in the bedroom can be the floor or your night table. You should always leave a distance of 20-30cm from walls or other surfaces so that airflow is sufficient and filtration is more effective. Avoid putting it in the corners of the room, if possible.

What is particulate matter and why should you be concerned?

Particulate matter (PM) are particles suspended in the air. These particles are solid and liquid and many of them are dangerous for human health in the short and long term. The worst thing about the particulate matter is that we cannot run away from it, it is everywhere. Particulate matter is a mixture of particles of organic and inorganic origin and varies widely in size and composition.

Based on the size, particulate matter is often divided into two main groups:

-The bigger fraction contains the largest particles with a size ranging from 2.5 to 10 µm (PM10 – PM2.5).

-The fine fraction, contains the smallest particles, with a size of up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5).

In addition, in this last group we can find ultrafine particles (particles of the fine fraction that are smaller than 0.1 µm).

Most of the total mass of airborne particles is made up of fine particles ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 µm (PM2.5). These are also the most worrisome particles for people’s health when levels in the air are high. PM2.5 are really tiny particles in the air that reduce visibility and make the air appear hazy and fuzzy when levels are high, they produce the visual effect that people recognize as environmental pollution on a daily basis. The levels of PM2.5 in the air are constantly changing. PM2.5 levels outdoors are typically higher on days with no wind and air mixing. The real size of these particles is extremely small and it is difficult to describe and even imagine because people do not operate with such small sizes in our daily lives.

What are the effects of PM2.5 on people’s health?

Particulate matter is responsible for harmful effects on health, even in the absence of other air pollutants.
Fine particles are more dangerous than coarse particles. In addition to particle size, another specific physical, chemical, and biological characteristics can influence harmful health effects. PM2.5 can easily travel through the respiratory tract and reach the lungs.

Exposure to fine particles can cause many short-term health effects, including irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. You could experience coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. Exposure to fine particles can also affect lung function and worsen previous medical conditions, such as asthma and heart disease. People who already suffer from respiratory and heart problems are particularly sensitive to PM2.5, in addition to children and the elderly. In Europe, long-term exposure to current concentrations of particulates in the environment can affect the lungs of both children and adults and can reduce life expectancy.

Scientific studies have linked increases in daily exposure to PM2.5 with increased respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions and deaths. Studies also suggest that long-term exposure to fine particles may be associated with heart disease, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and increased mortality from lung cancer.

When PM2.5 mixes with the other pollutants present in the air, the individual effects of each pollutant multiply. When combining PM2.5 with ozone or certain allergens, the effects are much worse when combined than the sum of the individual effects. When PM2.5 interacts with gases, its composition and effects change.

Where does PM2.5 come from?

There are exterior and interior sources of fine particles. Most of the fine particles are formed in the atmosphere as a result of reactions of chemical substances such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted by power plants, industries, and automobiles.
Outdoors, fine particles mainly come from car pipes and activities that involve the burning of other fuels (wood, coal, etc.). On the other hand, some more common indoor sources of fine particulate matter are tobacco smoke, cooking, lighting candles, the home fireplace, and fuel-burning heaters.

How do you know when PM2.5 levels are high outside?

Levels of fine particles in the outside air increase when the particles are not carried by the wind, or when the winds carry polluted air from another place to your location. In general, as PM2.5 levels in the outdoor air increase, the air appears hazy and visibility is reduced. These conditions are similar in appearance to high humidity or fog. You should check the AQI index to stay updated on the levels of air pollution in real time.

Are there ways to reduce my exposure to PM2.5?

When PM2.5 levels outside are high, staying indoors can reduce your exposure, although some outside particles will get inside. If there are significant indoor sources of PM2.5, PM levels could be the same or even higher than outside. Sometimes we are not aware that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, and using a high-performance air purifier is the best option to keep indoor air clean at all times.

This guide contains (almost) everything you need to know about air pollution, based on verified information from official organizations and sources, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the European Environment Agency (EEA). WINIX has been fighting against air pollution and eliminating it since 1973 and, part of our mission is to make people aware of the health risks associated with unhealthy air quality and the importance of breathing clean air in their homes.

Air Pollution facts

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of dying from COVID-19. A recent study shows that 15% of COVID-19 deaths worldwide could be attributed to unhealthy air quality. But this is just the latest of many terrifying facts that we all should know about air pollution. There are many more!

According to the WHO…

• 91% of the world’s population lives in places with unhealthy air quality.
• Near 8 million deaths each year are associated with prolonged exposure to household air pollution, especially smoke from dirty stoves and fuels.
• Around 2 million deaths occur each year as a result of prolonged exposure to unhealthy outdoor air quality.
• A recent study using data from 25 European Union (EU) cities has estimated that life expectancy could increase to approximately 22 months in the most polluted cities by lowering the long-term PM2.5 concentration in the air.
• Around 40 million people living in the 115 largest cities in the EU are exposed to air that exceeds the values of the WHO air quality guidelines for, at least, one type of pollutant.
• Children who live near highways where heavy vehicles frequently travel have 200% more risk of respiratory problems than those who live near less congested streets.
• In Europe alone, exposure to particulate matter (PM) reduces the life expectancy of each person by an average of almost a year, mainly due to the increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and lung cancer.
• Smoke causes respiratory health problems in children, such as asthma and reduced lung function. It also causes lung and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and premature death in adults.
• Unhealthy indoor air, contaminated by biological agents related to moisture and mold, increases the risk of respiratory diseases by 50%.
• Unhealthy air quality is especially harmful to sensitive groups, increasing respiratory difficulties, lung diseases, and heart problems.

But… what is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is the presence in the atmosphere of toxic gases and elements that transform the natural composition of the air we breathe. These elements are of biological, physical, and chemical origin and are dangerous for humans, animals, and plant’s health.

What are the causes of air pollution?

We, humans, adapted the environment to our interests constantly, modifying the composition of the air to accommodate our needs. This has caused a negative impact on air quality that has been accelerating since the industrial revolution.

We are surrounded by unhealthy air. The air we breathe on a daily basis contains emissions from vehicles, industry, and heating, as well as tobacco smoke, and household fuels. Air pollution harms human health, especially those who are already vulnerable due to their age or existing health problems. Controlling air quality, both indoors and outdoors, can significantly prevent diseases and save the lives of those who are part of sensitive groups.

We can differentiate between outdoor and indoor air pollution, but both types of pollution are harmful to people.

Effects of air pollution

As we said, air pollution does not only affect the environment: Air pollution poses a high risk especially for children and other sensitive groups and can have serious effects on all of us, every time we are outside and even at home. Because at home, another type of harmful air pollution occurs in parallel. Air pollution has many health effects, from mild irritations to the development of serious diseases.

The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause around seven million premature deaths each year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

While those effects emerge from long-term exposure, unhealthy air quality can also cause short-term problems such as sneezing and coughing, eye irritation, headaches, and dizziness. Particulate matter narrower than 10 microns (classified as PM10 and the even smaller PM2.5) pose higher health risks because they can be breathed deeply into the lungs and penetrate the body’s small airways and deposit carbon dioxide in our blood.

A full list of effects related to unhealthy air quality:

Airborne diseases, mainly viruses. Eye and respiratory irritations, skin allergies, conjunctivitis, nasal congestion, watery eyes, nasal bleeding, cough, phlegm, and wheezing in the chest. Cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. It is estimated that up to 30% of strokes are due to air pollution. Exposure to toxins is also associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. There is research suggesting that pollution could be a factor in the development of another type of brain disease such as autism, attention deficit disorders, and certain types of dementia.

Outdoor air pollution

An estimated 4.2 million premature deaths worldwide are related to unhealthy air quality due to outdoor air pollution.

According to the WHO, outdoor air pollution around the world represents:

• Around 17% of all lower respiratory diseases and deaths.
• Around 24% of all deaths due to strokes.
• Around 25% of all deaths and diseases due to ischemic heart disease.
• Around 29% of all lung cancer deaths and illnesses.
• Around 43% of all deaths and diseases from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The pollutants with the strongest evidence of public health concern are particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The health risks associated with PM less than 10 and 2.5 microns in diameter (PM10 and PM2.5) are especially well documented.  In 2013, it was classified as a cause of lung cancer by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is also the most widely used indicator to assess the health effects of exposure to ambient air pollution.

Maternal exposure to outdoor air pollution is associated with adverse childbirth outcomes, such as preterm birth or low birth weight. Evidence also suggests that outdoor air pollution can affect diabetes and neurodevelopment in children.

Indoor air pollution

Household air pollution is another cause of illness and premature death in Europe. According to the WHO, around 3.8 million people die in the world each year from exposure to household air pollution. Indoor air pollution comes from a variety of sources and includes a wide range of gases, chemicals, and other substances.

What causes indoor air pollution?

One of the most dangerous types of household air pollution is smoke. Pollutants emitted from the combustion of solid fuels or kerosene for cooking, heating, and lighting are associated with serious health risks.

Other indoor air pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mold, building materials, household products, and natural gases. Poor ventilation can exacerbate the health risks posed by all indoor pollutants.

Specific effects of household air pollution

By breathing unhealthy indoor air, we add even more risk for our health. Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using polluting fuels and inefficient technologies. Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause a wide range of adverse health outcomes for both children and adults, from respiratory illnesses to cancer to eye problems. Household members who depend on polluting fuels and devices are also at increased risk of burns, poisonings, musculoskeletal injuries, and accidents.

It is just here, in the treatment of indoor air, where WINIX intervenes. Our air purifiers are designed to help people keep the indoor air clean at all times.

Air pollution levels in the UK

Today it is practically impossible to escape air pollution anywhere in the world. We might think that this is just a problem for underdeveloped countries, but in the UK we also suffer unhealthy air quality. In general, air quality in European countries has improved in recent years, but levels of air pollutants continue to exceed the standards set as healthy by the WHO.

Breathing polluted air causes more deaths than tobacco. That is one of the great conclusions drawn by a study led by German researchers and published in the European Heart Journal that warns that the impact of air pollution on human health is underestimated.

Changes in air quality depend on several things. There are constant variations in each city and many factors intervene such as the weather, and the types and amount of gases that are in the air at the time. In European cities, smoke from vehicles is more common on weekdays than on weekends. The rural environment also suffers it, pollution from agricultural activities is also harmful.

How to know the current level of air pollution?

The Air Quality Index (AQI), which is constantly updated, tells you how clean or polluted is the air and what associated health effects may be of concern to you. The AQI focuses on the health effects you may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. EPA calculates the AQI for five main air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, PM, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.

In the UK, the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) is another similar indicator.

How does the AQI work?

The AQI works as an indicator of values ranging from 0 to 500. The higher the AQI value, the higher the level of air pollution, and the greater the health concern for people. An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which is the level that the EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally considered ok, but not ideal for sensitive groups. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, then for everyone as AQI values increase.

Understanding the AQI

You can reduce the risk by using the AQI before planning your outdoor activities. The six levels of concern for health and their meaning:

Source: www.airnow.gov

Good. AQI is 0-50. Air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk for people.

Moderate. AQI is 51-100. Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health problem for sensitive groups.

Unhealthy for sensitive groups. AQI is 101-150. Although the general public is unlikely to be affected in this AQI range, people with lung diseases, older adults, and children are at increased risk of ozone exposure, while people with heart problems and lung disease, older adults, and children are at increased risk from airborne particles.

Unhealthy. AQI is 151-200. Everyone can start to experience some adverse health effects. Sensitive groups may experience more serious effects due to unhealthy air quality.

Very unhealthy. AQI is 201-300. Health alert, everyone can experience more serious health effects.

Dangerous. AQI is greater than 300. Health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.

Tips to get better indoor air quality

Here are some tips on how you can reduce your exposure to unhealthy air quality.

• Place an air purifier at home. Seriously. A high-performance air purifier helps you keep the air in your home in optimal condition, filtering 99.97% of particles from the air.
• Check the Air Quality Index daily.
• Do not go out when the air quality is not ideal. Use the AQI to determine how much time you should spend outdoors. Try to avoid optional outdoor activities on days when the AQI shows poorer outdoor air quality.
• Avoid doing intense physical activity and sport on days with high air pollution. Physical activity makes you breathe stronger and faster. The faster you breathe, the more air pollution you’ll inhale.
• Windows with a tight seal are very effective. Insulating your windows helps reduce exposure to outdoor pollution and fungi.
• Avoid having the windows open when there is excessive pollution outside.
• Maintain good ventilation inside your home, to avoid dampness and fungi.

More resources:

Extended guide about air pollution from the European Environment Agency.

European Air Quality Index from EEA

Extended guide about air pollution from the World Health Organization.

Health effects of particulate matter (PM) from WHO.

World Quality Ranking from IQAir

How does air pollution affect children?

The subject of air pollution is a very popular matter these days. Some people deny global warming, some think it might not be as bad and others demand immediate measures to be taken. No matter which side you might be on, pollution is mostly agreed upon as something that exists. As it is actually visible, drive by a factory where huge plumes of white pollute the sky or see a car rev its engine in winter when it’s cold, for example. Even just the white of our breaths in winter. Countless tests on illnesses are being done with air pollution as a big factor. There are also some which link ailments of the body and mind with pollution. The WHO (World Health Organization) and Environment International, for example, conducted two of these studies. The results are pretty much the same: people, especially young children, are affected by air pollution, which is troubling, to say the least.

The WHO concluded that air pollution impacts neurodevelopment plus cognitive ability. It can also serve as a trigger for asthma and childhood cancer. Moreover, children who have been exposed to elevated levels of air pollution could be more likely to get chronic diseases like cardiovascular afflictions later in their life. Environment International conducted their research with children, linking it with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). They stated that the risk of kids exposed to high levels of pollution developing ASD would be raised to 78 percent compared to a child who only experienced low levels. (InternationalEnvironment, 2018)

Children naturally breathe more rapidly than adults, causing them to absorb more pollutants than their already grown-up counterparts. They also spend the time where their brains and bodies are still rapidly developing lower to the ground, where contaminants are more concentrated. Especially when polluting fuels or other technologies for cooking, lighting, and heating are regularly used within their home, they are more susceptible to household air pollution. Think of fireplaces, tobacco smoke, kerosene heaters, gas stoves, equipment powered by gasoline, candles, incense.

Key findings (of WHO) (World Health Organization):

• Air pollution affects mental and motor skills development (cognitive damage).
• Air pollution damages children’s lung function, even if they are not exposed to high but lower levels of exposure.
• 93% of the world’s children under 15 years are exposed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels which lie above WHO air quality guidelines.
• More than 40% of people globally – including the 1 billion children under 15 years of age- are exposed to elevated levels of household pollution. The main causes are cooking with polluting technologies or the use of bad fuels.
• Around 600,000 deaths in children under 15 were attributed to both the effects of household and ambient (outside air) pollution in 2016.
• Air pollution is rapidly moving up in the list of leading threats to the health of children, claiming nearly 1 in 10 deaths in children under five years of age.

Read about our air purifiers and how they can help keep kids healthy