How cross-border pollution affects us all
The wind knows no bounds and everyday, large wind patterns, generated by the earth’s rotation and variations in temperature, flow over nations. These global winds, however, are not simply air currents. They also carry tiny particles that can create cross-border pollution.
Air pollution travels over the Pacific
For years, scientists and residents in China have raised concern about air pollution caused by the country’s coal-burning industries. Now people on the other side of the globe, including the United States, are sounding the alarm. The National Research Council released a pioneering report on the topic a decade ago. Their study discovered that a polluted air mass from Asia could be traced in the state of Oregon in under two weeks.
“Air pollution does not recognize national borders; the atmosphere connects distant regions of our planet,” said Charles Kolb, chair of the report committee. “Emissions within any one country can affect human and ecosystem health in countries far downwind.”
How do we know?
How do scientists track pollution sources across the planet? Daniel Jacob, a professor at Harvard University, credits satellites like the Aura. NASA launched Aura in July 2014 to measure atmospheric data. Scientists then compare the satellite’s data against “background levels” for air pollutants, as established by the Environmental Protection Agency. From these sources, they can define and monitor global pollution drift.
U.S. air pollution drifts to Europe
Before countries point fingers at one another, remember that this is an international issue. Air pollution from eastern Asia blows into the western United States. Yet, as Professor Jennifer Logan of Harvard explains in Earth Data, North America is also sending air pollution abroad. "One thing that people don't like to talk about so much is how much ozone we're sending to Europe. But the Europeans care about that just like we care about how much Asia is sending to us," she said.
While scientists study how cross-border air pollution affects people around the world, the Coway Airmega can help you and your family breathe clean air at home. The Coway Airmega comes with a built-in smart sensor that adjusts indoor air quality to keep it at an optimal level, reducing potentially harmful particulates by up to 99.97%.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
