Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health and by reducing air pollution levels, countries like Nigeria can reduce the risk of ailments such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.
Common sources of indoor air pollution are airborne microbes, pollen, dust particles, appliances that burn fuel, cigarettes and other tobacco products, deteriorating asbestos, cleaning agents, insecticides, wall paints, newly installed flooring, upholstery and smoke filtering into the home from outside.
To curb the menace of indoor air pollution, the Vice President of Ultimus Holdings, Mr David Ewemie has called for the Nigerian government and citizens to embrace smart air purification systems.
He disclosed this during the launch of Aura Air, an all-in-one indoor air purification and quality intelligence system, in Lagos.
Ewemie explained that with the detection of the novel coronavirus and the countless number of harmful substances causing air pollution which humans are exposed to daily, the world’s entire healthcare system has been thrown into a chaotic state.
“This has birthed the need for effective medical technologies and initiatives to mitigate the rise and efficacy of this virus and other types of viruses that are harmful to the human body,” he said.
Lawal Oyetunde, the Business Development Manager, Viarmor Healthcare Limited, a subsidiary of Ultimus Holdings, said, “The United Nations documented in 2019 that indoor air pollution is a global public emergency.
We have seen an increase in the time we all get to spend indoors these days, however, what most of us are not aware of are the substances we are exposed to indoors that are harmful to our health and general wellbeing.
Pm10 and Pm2.5, that is – Particulate matter, also known as atmospheric aerosol particles are microscopic solid or liquid matter suspended in the atmosphere of the earth. Pm10 includes particles such as dust, pollen, mold. Pm2.5 includes particles such as combustion particles, organic compounds, metals and bacteria.
The effect of inhaling particulate matter has been widely proven to result to asthma, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, premature delivery, birth defects amongst many others.”
Mr Elvis Krivokuća, Product Director, Viarmor Healthcare Limited, said, “We are infusing technology with HealthCare as this smart device is data-driven and uses user behaviour algorithm, through the Aura Air app to purify the air quality within a space.
It removes contaminants from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality. It is a new era of air purification and disinfection technology. Aura Air targets and disinfects 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, mould and volatile organic compounds.
It removes gas and captures 99.9% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns including allergens. Three unique features of this device are that; it has been clinically tested to kill 99.7% of Coronavirus indoors, it is readily available in the Nigerian market at the moment and could also serve as a smoke detector.”