05/29/2013 // Camfil Farr USA // Camfil // (press release)
(Air Filtration News) – Worldwide, air pollution now kills more people each year than AIDS and malaria combined, the director general of the U.N. Industrial Development Organization announced in April. The official, Kandeh Yumkella, called for greater investments in clean energy and a bigger push for energy efficiency — moves that could dramatically reduce the toll.
Of particular surprise — and concern — was the figure for deaths attributable to indoor air pollution. At 3.5 million per year, it not only outnumbers the 3.3 million due to outdoor air pollution, but is almost twice the previously calculated figure of 1.9 million. The revised data stems from a 2012 World Health Organization study. Pneumonia, heart disease, and cancer are among the deadly conditions that can be triggered by harmful particles in the outdoor and indoor air.
At more than 6 million, the total annual death toll from air pollution far exceeds the 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths in 2011 and the 660,000 deaths from malaria recorded in 2010.
Yumkella’s remarks came at an Oslo conference created to help work out new U.N. development goals for 2030. At the meeting, U.N. officials said that a shift to cleaner energy and greater energy efficiency could easily cut yearly pollution-related deaths in half by 2030.
Investments in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power would benefit health while helping to slow climate change, the officials said. Meanwhile, products that use less energy would mean lower fossil fuel emissions — reducing both outdoor and indoor air pollution (a leading cause of indoor air pollution are particles that enter from the outside environment).
To meet the twin goals of reducing energy consumption and indoor pollution, innovative air filters from companies like Camfil — the world’s leading provider of clean air solutions — are particularly helpful. Camfil filters, for example, feature designs that not only do a better job removing harmful particles from the indoor air, but require less energy than more traditional designs. Their lower energy consumption boosts health, protects the environment, and also reduces overall costs. Indeed, sustainable air filters from Camfil have enabled customers to achieve HVAC energy savings of up to 50 percent.
The bottom line: Air pollution is a problem that is all too serious, and all too deadly. But with affordable, sustainable solutions, it can be reduced quickly and significantly — saving untold lives in the process.
The world leader in air filtration systems, Camfil provides clean air solutions for hospitals, hotels, office buildings, educational institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies. We provide the tools to achieve sustainability, maintain high air quality, and reduce airborne infections — all while lowering total cost of ownership. Camfil customers go green without ever sacrificing performance. For more information, visit us online at http://airfilters.camfilfarr.us, or call us toll-free at 888.599.6620.
Media Information:
Address:
Phone: 888.599.6620
Url: Camfil Farr USA Air Filters
