West Coast wildfires may be polluting your air
Wildfires ran rampant across much of the West Coast this summer. While the Mendocino Complex fire in California, the largest recorded wildfire in the state’s history, received a lot of attention, many dangerous blazes also ignited in the Cascades in British Columbia and other areas. These fires discharged a lot of smoke in the air, creating an air quality crisis, as the fires released smoke and air particles in surrounding areas and across the country.
Air quality culprits
The raging wildfires emit smoke filled with a hazardous mix of gasses and fine particles from burning wood and plant material. These particles come in various sizes, but the smallest are the most dangerous. Because they’re so tiny, they’re able to make their way deep into the lungs and bloodstream, causing everything from asthma attacks to cancer. In addition, the combination of different gasses in smoke clouds can form surface-based ozone, which also can lead to health problems.
How bad is it?
Air quality measurements in many areas indicate unhealthy levels of pollution. In Seattle, in late August, the air quality index was at 190, which is termed “unhealthy”; in some areas, it was 220, or “very unhealthy.” An air quality index of 150 is roughly equivalent to smoking seven cigarettes a day. In some cases, particulate matter in certain areas has reached the same level as pollution in Beijing, one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Make sure indoor air quality is good
When the outdoor air quality is very bad, it’s best to stay inside, if possible. That’s especially important for children, the elderly and those with heart or respiratory problems. In addition, making sure your indoor air quality is healthy is more important than ever. You can purify smoky air using a smart air purifier with a HEPA filter, like Coway Airmega, which can eliminate smoke and related particulate matter using activated carbon.
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.
