In a survey conducted by Agewell Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, 21% elderly respondents claimed that their major concern is rising pollution level during winters, which causes many health related problems
The problem of air pollution is a year-long problem, as the AQI yet again touched 400 in certain areas (source: SAMEER - published by Central Pollution Control Board) of Delhi-NCR, during the first week of January. Almost a quarter of elderly people (21%) during a survey by Agewell Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, working for welfare and empowerment of older persons; claimed that their major concern is rising pollution level during winters, which causes many health related problems and restrict their outings. The survey was conducted on over 1500 elderly living in Delhi NCR during December1.
To assist the elderly in breathing purified air, since November, Dyson has installed 100 air purifiers across four old-age homes in Delhi including Golden Stick Old Age Home, Sandhya Old Age Home, Aradhana Old Age home and Ashirwad Old Age home.
Dr. Priyanka Kulshreshtha – Joint Secretary- Society for Indoor Environment (SIE). "The elderly population are the vulnerable ones to the exposure of poor indoor air quality in their homes. The less active physical life compounded by age related illness force them to be confined within the household boundaries. This exposure to the air pollutants in the indoor microenvironment makes them exposed to Acute Lung Respiratory infections and can affect their cardiovascular health also. Elderly with pre-existing heart vulnerabilities are more prone to suffer from Ischemic heart disease if the concentration of respirable suspended particulate matter, molds and allergens are not controlled. In Delhi, where the ambient air concentrations are also much higher than the permissible limits, the use of chemical based products like paints, floor and glass cleaners, deodorants and sprays create a cocktail of indoor air pollutants that plays heavily on the health of old people living there."
This will be an on going initiative from Dyson in India in an effort to make purified and clean air available to everyone.
Environment Care at Dyson
Dyson first entered the air purifier category in 2015 in response to the increasing global problem of indoor air pollution.
Dyson has continued to pioneer air purifiers globally, leading new test methods in China, the world’s largest market for air purifiers. In January 2018, China’s Household Appliance Standard and Technology Industry Alliance released the first accreditation for intelligent air purifying fans – featuring test methods first developed on Dyson’s UK Technology Campus. Dyson is the first company to test its machines according to this new standard.
In 2018, we worked with 72 researchers’ across 18 universities on 42 live Environmental Control projects, including Machine Leaning research in Oxford University and Fluid Dynamic research in Cambridge University.
Indoor Pollution
Living in the era of the “indoor generation”, we are breathing in more pollutants indoors as we are spending up to 90% of our time behind closed doors. Indoor pollution can come from outside when we open the windows or doors, but it can also be produced from everyday activities in our home.
To understand the air we breathe indoors, Dyson engineers along with SGS China, an independent advanced testing establishment, recently conducted a study on indoor air quality for Delhi NCR homes using Dyson technology.
During the study, Dyson air purifiers were selected from 12 homes in various parts of Delhi NCR. The fully-sealed filtration system on Dyson air purifiers that combine an activated carbon filter, and a glass HEPA filter, were collected from these Delhi NCR homes after 3-5 months of usage and analysed. The study has shown the presence of ultra-fine pollutants inside all Delhi-NCR homes tested. It was found that the air we breathe at home can contain large amounts of indoor pollutants which can have an impact on people’s well-being. These indoor pollutants include formaldehyde, bacteria, pollen, mould spores, dust mites, pet hair and dead skin cells.
The bedroom, where we spend approximately one third of our lives can be a polluted place at home. Potential sources include particulate matter from city pollution, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) from hair spray and perfume, formaldehyde from foam furniture, dust and allergens from carpets and benzene from scented candles. In the kitchen and living room, cleaning products emit VOCs, dander from household pets, gas hobs and other cooking processes release particulate matter, fumes and odours. As modern homes are becoming better sealed to comply with energy efficiency requirements, those pollutants can be trapped inside and air circulation can be compromised.
New Delhi, January 22, 2019
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