Fresh air is for everyone, outside and in

Let’s play a quick game of word association: If we were to say, “air purifier,” what words immediately spring to mind? The likely responses are things like “HEPA,” “humidifier,” “allergies,” and “asthma.” Notice a theme? Overall, we tend to think of air purifiers as clinical devices, brought in to alleviate sickness or discomfort. On rarer occasion, we might imagine hulking appliances filtering contaminated air in labs, factories, and hospitals.

One can easily assume that the average, healthy, youthful person doesn’t need to worry about filtering their air. Pollution is something that happens outside. Cars, trucks, factories, ozone, and other pollutants are all out there. Our homes are a safe place. Right? Not exactly.

Indoor air is much dirtier than conventional wisdom might imply. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air is anywhere from two to five times as polluted as outdoor air, and the World Health Organization says some 4.3 million people die due to household pollution each year.

In fact, there are more sources of pollution indoors: Outdoor pollutants, like pollen and ozone, come in through open windows; burning candles, cooking, smoking, and other daily activities release particulate matter; and chemicals and manufactured materials, such as plywood and carpet, release potentially dangerous compounds. All that’s before the contaminants that we already know might be there, such as dust, pet dander, carbon monoxide, and lead.

Truth is, even those average, healthy, youthful people can be affected by impure air. While health risks are higher for those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or emphysema (asthma rates in the U.S. are on the rise, by the way), prolonged exposure to airborne contaminants can trigger or contribute to a host of other conditions, as well. Beyond ear, nose, and throat irritation, pollutants can lead to breathing difficulties, a weakened immune system, reduced alertness, and an increased risk of heart disease.

Sometimes the effects are so minor, they can even go unnoticed. Research has shown air quality to have a direct impact on the how we exercise, our ability to concentrate, and how well we sleep.

Now more than ever, people are paying close attention to how they treat their bodies. Clean eating, regular exercise, and the composition of everything from shampoo to household cleaners are big concerns for the health conscious. “You are what you eat,” the old adage goes, but now “you are what you eat, do, and touch.” Clean air is the missing piece of the puzzle: On a given day, we take in more air than any other substance (nearly 3,000 gallons’ worth, in fact). You are what you breathe.

There are plenty of tactics we can use to improve the quality of our air. Venting cooking gases and using fans and HVAC systems to keep air exchanging and circulating can help. But the most practical, and powerful, solution is an air purifier, the burliest of which can clear the air of more than 99 percent of pollutants.

Trouble is, the popular assumptions about purifiers are not entirely unfounded. By and large, the devices, which need to be placed centrally in order to do their best work, evoke mini fridges more than end tables or high-end speakers one would be proud to put on display. Models that make a real difference are typically drab, industrial, loud, and unintuitive to use.

Design-conscious purifiers do exist, but lack the filtration capabilities of more-heavy-duty models. As the market for the devices continues to grow—by some estimates spiking up to 10 percent with each passing year—a balance of performance and design is becoming essential.

Enter Airmega, the smartest, sleekest, quietest, air purifier to date. Building off Coway’s nearly 30 years of experience and R&D, Airmega delivers best-in-class Green True HEPA air filtration in a compact package and includes real-time air monitoring and smartphone integration, so keeping the air clean will never be a chore. And, thanks to a modern design and compact footprint, Airmega homes will be as beautiful as they are healthy.

It’s finally time to breathe deeper.

Learn more about how Airmega is changing the way we breathe, and stay up to date on the latest news by signing up for our newsletter.