Indoor air pollution accounts for 99,000 European deaths per year

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) caused or contributed to an estimated 99,000 deaths across Europe during 2012, according to a new health report.

The joint study, from the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, found that indoor air pollution can be caused by smoking, faulty boilers and gas ovens and heaters along with chemicals from air fresheners and household cleaning products.

This report follows the news earlier this week that 40,000 people die in the UK every year due to air pollution, with admissions made by health professionals that the extent of indoor air pollution is not fully known.

The new study states that “We must strengthen our understanding of the key risk factors and effects of poor air quality in our homes, schools and workplaces,” with the health of children highlighted as a key area of concern.

It is believed that by tackling indoor and outdoor air pollution in Britain, chronic long-term health problems can be eased for sufferers while reducing the strain on the NHS.

As providers of a range of air handling disinfection systems for offices, schools and health facilities to name just a few, we at Gibbons Ultraviolet Solutions are fully aware of the impact that clean, healthy air has on the wellbeing and productivity of building occupants.

The image to the right shows petri dish samples taken from the same air handling unit surface, before and after the installation of our innovative CoilCare® system.  

The revolutionary CoilCare® system applies ultraviolet C (UVC) light to the cooling coil of an air handling unit, destroying ‘biofilm’ – a potentially harmful substance which forms due to the build-up of contaminants such as bacteria and mould.

Not only does CoilCare® help protect the health and wellbeing of building occupants, it also increases productivity, reduces absence rates and extends HVAC equipment life.

To find out more about the innovative CoilCare® system, and for information on Gibbons’ other ultraviolet solutions, call Colin Hardman on 07940 544206 or email colin@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.