Filters: the great allies to reduce pollution levels

Filters: the great allies to reduce pollution levels Air pollution is a significant environmental health risk. The WHO states that by reducing pollution levels, the morbidity load related to strokes, lung cancers, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, such as asthma, can be reduced. Consequently, the lower these levels are, the better it will be for our health.

According to 2016 estimates, air pollution in cities and rural areas around the world causes 4.2 million premature deaths every year. This mortality is due to exposure to particles of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5).

Have you ever looked at backlight and seen tiny particles flying? The human eye can only see particles larger than 10 microns. To put things in context, a hair measures between 50 to 70 microns. In other words, a micron is a thousandth of a millimeter. Therefore, we do not perceive the vast majority of the elements present in the air we inhale daily, but they are there.

In 2019, the figures did not improve. That year, 99% of the world's population still lived in places where WHO guidelines were not respected. In fact, if we observe the figures of people suffering from asthma in the last decade, there has been a significant increase in this disease. The WHO estimates that in 2019 262 million people were affected by asthma, causing almost half a million deaths. Tobacco and lifestyle are two of the main factors associated with this increase, but air quality is also one of them.

Ventilation filters help keep these pollution levels low. They are components that purify the air by capturing and retaining harmful particles from the outside air. This process not only ensures that we inhale optimal air but also guarantees the correct functioning of the ventilation system.

But where does the air enter then? It enters through the ventilation ducts, and this is where air filters are installed. To know which filters are the most appropriate for our installation, we must know the size and the concentration level of particles in the air.

Let’s take an example. In a rural estate, air quality is higher; however, there is a high concentration of particles from the field, such as insects or pollen. Therefore, ventilation filters that adapt to these characteristics will be needed. On the other hand, in an office in downtown Madrid, vehicle smoke, tobacco, restaurant extractors, and waste are the major air pollutants.

For these reasons, filters are the first step to ensure that the air entering the system is of high quality. We find different types of filters according to their capacity - the so-called G class filters - or their efficiency - known as F class filters. The latter can even block viruses, bacteria, mold, and fine particles. It should be noted that maintenance must be performed periodically.

The benefits of opting for high-quality filters are evident; they improve the health and comfort of people living in these spaces. Caring for enclosed spaces is beneficial for everyone, but especially for the most vulnerable, such as babies and the elderly.