Pollution includes particles from NO2, CO, and pollen, all of which can be brought into a building through natural or mechanical ventilation and via infiltration through the building fabric. Most common sources of outdoor air pollution include road traffic, waste incineration, and close proximity to construction and demolition sites.

What people often don't realise is that pollution sources can also come from inside a building, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) given off by wall and floor coverings, furniture and appliances as they age and degrade; dust, damp and mould; emissions from office equipment and industrial machinery and, occupants themselves, who breathe out CO2 and can spread colds and viruses.

An air purifier is an appliance that is designed to cleanse the indoor air within a building. What most people don’t realise is that indoor air can have 5 times the level of pollutants than outdoor air.

Air purifiers usually consist of a filter, or multiple filters, and a fan that sucks in and circulates air. As air moves through the filter, pollutants and particles are captured and the clean air is pushed back out and circulated around the room.

Benefits of an Air Purifier

When used in conjunction with a robust ventilation system, air purifiers provide an additional level of comfort and a wide range of benefits including:

Since coronavirus (COVID-19) has become part of our daily reality, concerns have been raised around the role of HVAC and the risk of spreading airborne viruses through systems.

As well as following government guidelines, building owners should consider the ventilation systems that they have in place and the importance of regular service and maintenance.