Going Shopping? Is the Air Quality at the Malls Making You Sick?

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Indoor air quality has become a major health issue throughout the world as rising levels of outdoor air pollution continue to make the air inside homes and facilities toxic. That’s why it’s so important for you to understand how air quality at the mall can affect your overall well being because what you don’t know could cause health issues in the future.

“The problem occurs when polluted outside air infiltrates the ventilation system of a mall,” stated Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “These are pollutants such as dust, smoke, and pollen, and they can cause a variety of respiratory problems if that mall is not equipped with commercial air filters that can eliminate these harmful particulates from the air.”

Causes of Poor Air Quality At the Mall

Per an article posted on the Environmental Pollution Centers website, (1) there are several common causes of pollution inside the average mall:

Dry Cleaning – Thousands of malls feature dry cleaning shops, and these facilities often utilize strong chemicals and solvents to clean clothes.

Paint/Home Goods Stores – Many malls also contain paint shops and home good stores that store products made from powerful chemicals. These chemicals can often produce what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), harmful particulates that have been linked to a number of respiratory problems.

Fast Food Kiosks – Food courts have become popular at many malls, and while they provide convenient dining for mall visitors, they can also be a significant source of pollution. This is especially true of kiosks that utilize high-heat frying or broiling, open cooking stoves and barbecuing. In fact, according to a report by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a study found that (2) “for every 1,000 pounds of hamburger cooked on conveyor broilers, 25 pounds of emissions are created.”

Traffic – Studies have found that the air inside a facility such as a shopping mall can be as many as 10 times worse than the air outdoors. And that’s important to remember when you consider the amount of pollution generated by traffic outside a mall. That pollution is also made worse by the number of cars that idle in parking lots outside malls, which release large amounts of toxic exhaust

Revealing Air Quality Study Conducted At Hong Kong Malls

A study by Hong Kong researchers of nine shopping malls found some interesting results.

Per the report published in The Science of the Total Environment journal, (3)  all of the nine malls in the study showed significant concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, respiratory particulate matter – also known as PM10, and various strains of bacteria.

In addition, “more than 40% of the shopping malls had 1-h average CO2 levels above the 1000 ppm of the ASHRAE standard on both weekdays and weekends. Also, they had average weekday PM10 concentrations that exceeded the Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality Objective.”

The reference to PM10 is the most important aspect of the report, so here’s a brief primer so that you can understand the dangers of PM10.

Per an article on the AirNow website, particulate matter (PM) is defined as a (4)  “mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air.”

PM10 is defined as any pollutants that are between 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers in diameter. They include common particulates such as dust, pollen, and mold.

They are considered harmful because they can lodge in the lungs and lead to respiratory problems.

To provide you with some perspective, 10 micrometers is smaller than the width of a single strand of human hair.

PM2.5 are defined as any pollutants that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, and they are so small that they can only be detected with a microscope. They include pollutants created by combustible processes such as motor vehicle exhaust, smoke from power plants and wood burning.

Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 were identified as shopping mall pollutants in the Hong Kong study, and that is concerning because people with a history of heart disease or lung problems are particularly vulnerable to these particulates.

In addition, PM2.5 and PM10 are also dangerous to children and the elderly, because these groups tend to have immune systems that are not fully developed or immune systems that have grown weak to due to aging.

Common health effects of these particulates include eye, nose and throat irritation, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, coughing, compromised lung function, asthma, heart attack and even early death for people with existing heart and lung issues.

So here’s the takeaway from all this: be more aware.

The next time you’re in a shopping mall, you’ll probably pay more attention to that barbecue spot at the food court, or to the ventilation system.

Knowing the potential dangers can help you understand the importance of air filtration for everyday living.

Clean Air Solutions

Although there are many commercial filtration companies out there, Camfil is the leader in indoor air quality for malls and shopping centers. Please visit our site to learn more about air filter products for shopping malls.

SOURCES

1. http://bit.ly/2Bx3qmf
2. http://bit.ly/2CAj8w7
3. http://bit.ly/2Bx3rqj
4. http://bit.ly/2CzCPnQ

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Why Clean Air Must Absolutely Be a Human Right

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Throughout the world, the lack of clean air is causing a health crisis that will only get worse if leaders do not make improving this problem a priority. Scientists have found that air pollution in the world’s major cities is getting worse every year and that the urban areas most affected are often in underprivileged countries where healthcare is not ideal.

“What we are seeing is that there is a direct link between bad air pollution in major metropolitan areas and the lack of healthcare infrastructure to mitigate the effects of poor air quality,” stated says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing

at Camfil USA. “As a result, we’re seeing an increase in serious health issues such as lung disease and cardiovascular disease that is linked to the lack of clean air in these cities. This is an under-reported crisis that will only worsen if solutions are not found to decrease outdoor air pollution and to eliminate harmful pollutants indoors.”

Recent Air Pollution Statistics

Per an article on the World Economic Forum website, (1) air pollution has increased by eight percent throughout the world over the past five years, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that pollution caused millions of premature deaths each year.

Furthermore, from 2011 to 2015, 98 percent of cities throughout the world with more than 100,000 residents in low income and middle-income countries failed to meet the baseline WHO air quality standards.

The problem is that as the economies in more cities throughout the world continue to grow, there is a corresponding increase in the number of industrial processes as well as the number of vehicles on the road.

And vehicle exhaust and smoke and emissions from factories and power stations are two of the biggest contributors of harmful airborne particulates.

Even more concerning was the fact that the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in only eight countries: Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and China.

Many of the cities with the worst air pollution have burgeoning economies that are creating industrial pollution that is difficult to control. And without a comprehensive clean air strategy, pollution will continue to worsen and negatively impact the environment as well as the health of urban residents.

Treating Clean Air As a Human Right

One of the paradigm shifts that need to occur throughout the world is that leaders must treat clean air as an essential human right. Too often, residents of poorer countries are forced to live in communities in which the air quality is dangerous enough for residents to wear masks.

But you may still be asking yourself this question: Why should we care about clean air?

The answer is found in the basic assumptions we make about what people need to survive. In developing countries, the most vulnerable population groups are children and the elderly. They are vulnerable physically, but they are also vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed, or are weakened due to aging.

Per the WHO Media Centre(2), the particulates in air pollution kill more than two million people each year. The WHO defines “pollution” not simply as outdoor air quality, but also the quality of air indoors.

The WHO has also identified PM10 particles – which are particles of 10 micrometers or less in diameter – as especially dangerous, because they can:

“Penetrate into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream, can cause heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and acute lower respiratory infections.”

And more importantly, the WHO has found that “Women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth, are particularly vulnerable. More than 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under 5 is linked to household air pollution.” (3)

In fact, the WHO linked four million premature fatalities among children and adults to household air pollution in 2012 alone.

Camfil’s Commitment To Providing Clean Air

Camfil has spent more than 50 years developing air filters that can help significantly improve indoor air quality in commercial industries. Clean air is a human right because it is essential for life. The first thing a newborn does is gasp for that first inhalation of air.

But as outdoor air pollution grows worse, indoor air quality is also compromised. Studies have shown that indoor air can be three or four times more polluted than the air outside.

Camfil’s “Take a Breath” campaign was born out of a desire to raise awareness about air quality to help spur global initiatives to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Please visit our website to learn more about how Camfil is providing resources and air filter devices to help eliminate particulates that are harmful to human health.

SOURCES

1.http://bit.ly/2iYKxQA

2. http://bit.ly/2BlGB7w
3. http://bit.ly/2j2056p

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Solving the Problem of Diesel Air Pollution

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

It was once thought the diesel engines emitted less pollution than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, but it turns out that diesel engines are actually greater sources of pollution than previously thought. Diesel air pollution is a serious issue, and loopholes in the certification tests of diesel engines as well as other factors might be to blame for this unforeseen reality of pollution.

Testing of Diesel Air Pollution

Testing of diesel air pollution has revealed that diesel engines are much dirtier than expected. A recent study published in the journal Nature found that global levels of nitrous oxide emissions originating from diesel vehicles could be up to 50% higher than estimated.

“A team of researchers investigated data on emissions from diesel vehicles throughout Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Japan and many other countries including the 28 members of the European Union and the United States,” says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil USA. “This data covers around 80% of all diesel vehicles that were recently sold in the world. The researchers compared the results of emissions during regulatory testing to data that they gathered from vehicles that were actually on the road.”  (1)

It was found that emissions from diesel vehicles were around 13.2 million metric tons total, this is about 50% higher than the legal limits of 8.6 million metric tons of nitric oxide that the vehicles were supposed to emit due to passing emission testing.

Volkswagen was found to have used “defeat devices” to make it appear as if their vehicles were emitting fewer pollutants than they actually did. While other auto manufacturers have not used these defeat devices specifically, they have been found to be cheating and altering their emissions for the duration of emissions tests. Mitsubishi has recently admitted to using improper fuel economy tests, and both Daimler and Peugeot Citroen are under investigation for trying to cheat the diesel emissions tests.

However, the problem goes beyond just cheating. Diesel tests themselves seem to be flawed. The authors of the study called the diesel tests “inefficient” in determining the actual level of pollutants released by diesel engines, due to differences in testing conditions and real-world driving conditions.

Health Effects of Diesel Air Pollution

The health effects of diesel air pollution on people’s health are well-established, and it is known that air pollution causes a variety of health effects such as diseases and premature death.

Exposure to diesel exhaust can have both long-term and immediate health impacts. Diesel exhaust contains both nitrous oxide and particulate matter pollutants. Particulate matter consists of particles small enough to penetrate the lung tissue and cause a variety of health problems.

“Diesel air pollution irritates the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. It can cause coughing, headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness,” says Wood. “These effects are more pronounced in those who are more susceptible to pollutants, like those with severe allergies, asthma, and other pre-existing conditions. Those exposed to diesel exhaust over long periods of time are more likely to develop lung cancer or other cardiovascular diseases.” (2)

The fact that diesel engines are emitting much more air pollution than previously thought is of serious concern because it means that the amount of harm done to people will be much higher than previously estimated.

Using a variety of data sources including observations from NASA satellites, the research team has concluded that the unforeseen diesel emissions caused around 38,000 early deaths in 2015 above previous estimates. Most of the deaths happened in countries in the European Union, China, and India. These are areas that struggle with high levels of air pollution.

Solutions to Diesel Air Pollution

“Solutions to diesel air pollution must be investigated. That starts with making changes to how vehicles are tested for emissions. Tests which more accurately capture real-world driving conditions must be made. These changes are already underway in some areas, with revisions to vehicle testing in the European Union due to start this September,” says Wood. “Mobile devices are dubbed ‘portable emissions measurement systems’ will be attached to vehicles as they drive around on real roads and they will capture real-time data. More accurate information on emissions will help regulatory bodies hold auto-manufacturers to standards that are better for people’s health.” (3)

However, a more long-term solution is to begin replacing diesel vehicles with cleaner alternatives. Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are getting cheaper and more efficient, meaning that diesel vehicles may disappear sooner than previously thought. Mailers of cities like Madrid, Athens, and Paris have announced their intention to ban the production of diesel vehicles sometime in the future.

The best solution to diesel air pollution may be simply getting rid of diesel engines and replacing them with low-emission or no-emission vehicles. Until then, it is important to make sure that diesel manufacturers are held accountable, and that diesel emissions are kept as low as possible. (4)

Camfil USA is an air filtration leader for commercial air filters, industrial air filters & air purifiers that can help protect you from diesel air pollution if you live in a heavily polluted area. Visit Camfil today to arm yourself with helpful information and high-quality products.

Sources:

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http://bit.ly/2BXaJm8

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Here’s How to Fight the Effects of Smog

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

The term smog was originally coined as a portmanteau of smoke and fog to describe the thick haze of pollutants which hung over London in the 1950s. Smog refers mainly to a mixture of pollutants today, most of which is ground-level ozone. The effects of smog have been studied and it can easily cause a variety of health problems from long-term exposure, including death. What origins of smog, and how can people protect themselves from it?

Download:  Ozone Rating Guide by Camfil Air Filters

The Cause of Smog

Smog refers to a mixture of various emissions which gather together due to certain climate conditions. The cause of smog is varied, with much of it coming from pollutants from industry, emissions from fossil fuel powered vehicles, open cooking, and burning, and incinerators often contribute to smog problems.

“Ozone is one of the primary contributors to smog, and while in the upper atmosphere it is a beneficial chemical which shields us from solar radiation, at ground level it is a pollutant that can harm people’s health,” says Camfil’s Charles Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials.

“Other contributors to smog include nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and the volatile organic compounds.” (1)

The smog which forms in the summer is known as photochemical smog and it’s created when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are hit by sunlight, forming the smog in the atmosphere. Heavy traffic, high temperatures, high levels of sunshine, and calm winds often cause smog to accumulate in an area. Low wind speeds cause smog pollutants to accumulate since they are not dispersed, and geographical elements like mountains can also cause smog to accumulate in low lying areas.

The EPA estimates that over 50% of nitrous oxides that contribute to smog is released by the transportation sector, as well as over 30% of all volatile organic compounds, and over 20% of particulate emissions. (2)

The Health Impacts of Smog

The health impacts of smog range anywhere from minor irritants up to potentially lethal diseases like lung cancer. Smog is a well-established eye irritant, and it also impacts the lungs. Smog causes inflammation in lung tissue, which causes chest pains and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to smog can create more severe effects such as increasing risk of developing colds and pneumonia. (3)

“Smog also exacerbates threats of asthma attacks in people who already suffer from the condition. Premature deaths due to the development of lung cancer or other severe respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are another established impact of high smog levels,” says Seyffer. “The elderly and children are at especially high risk of this harmful smog. Ozone exposure can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.” (4)

A recent study linked air pollution in China, particularly the heavy smog that shrouds Beijing and other large cities in China, to an estimated 1.6 million deaths every year. This translates to about 4400 people a day who die prematurely due to the effects of smog. (5)

Protecting Yourself From the Effects of Smog

The EPA notes that damage to the lungs from ozone exposure can continue even after symptoms have abated. Because it’s easy to overlook the effects of smog, protecting yourself from the effects of smog is extremely important.

“It’s important to stay up to date on smog and weather predictions, so you should check your local daily air quality index. If air quality levels are low and the air is full of pollutants, you should avoid those affected areas,” states Seyffer. “If you’re going to be outdoors, stay away from areas that are large sources of pollution like highways and factories, and if possible limit your outdoor activity to early morning or after dusk when pollutant levels are lowest.” (6)

If it is too difficult to avoid smog-filled areas, use effective face protection. The masks created for industrial use are the most effective way to protect yourself, as dust masks and paper masks often only trap large particles and let small harmful particles slip through.

The best way to protect yourself is to stay indoors, within a building that has effective air filtration. This will reduce the levels of pollutants you are exposed to the most, and is the best option when pollutant levels are at their highest and most dangerous. The EPA suggests that people remain indoors with closed windows and use air conditioners or air purifiers with effective filters.

For areas with high levels of ozone special types of air filters are available. Ozone is a gas so it is not commonly removed by normal HVAC air filtration. There are panel and other high efficiency hybrid filters that are available to address both particulate pollution and the gaseous ozone component of smog. Consult your local air quality professional for guidance in this area.  

The effects of smog can devastate your health and your family’s health, so be aware of the impacts of smog and the best tactics for protecting yourself.

Camfil offers helpful information on the effects of smog and how you can protect yourself. Visit Camfil website today for information and high-quality filters/purifiers to safeguard your health.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Sources:

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http://bit.ly/2nRkP5N

http://nyti.ms/2C4lRP7

http://bit.ly/2nRkQGT

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7 Facts About Modern Data Centers

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Data centers are an increasingly important part of the information infrastructure of the modern world. As more of our lives are connected to the Internet and the need for instant information grows, so do the size and number of data centers around the world.

The size of data centers can vary considerably. Some that serve just several offices might be no bigger than a large closet. Others, serving an entire building, might take up an entire floor to power the needs of their users. Still, there are others that fill entire buildings, or even multiple buildings, powering the massive operations of global companies and the public at large.

Every time you run a search or save a document to the cloud, or even send a message to a friend on your favorite social networking site, you are accessing a data center somewhere. Thousands upon thousands of anonymous computers are constantly at work storing, routing and delivering the information we use every day.

There are about 3 million data centers in the United States alone.

That equates to about one data center for every 100 people living in the country. As their size and number continue to grow, they consume more energy to keep up with the demands they serve.

Data center energy consumption is increasing rapidly.

It’s estimated that U.S. data centers used about 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. This accounts for about 2% of the total electricity used in the entire country. That number is expected to grow as time goes on.

Improvements in data center efficiency would have effects on a national scale.

If all data centers could improve their energy efficiency by 20% it would reduce energy consumption across the nation by about 20 billion kilowatt-hours, resulting in a savings of approximately two billion dollars.

Data centers typically update their IT equipment every two to five years.

New equipment is generally more efficient than that which it replaces. As IT equipment is replaced, infrastructure changes can also be made to improve the efficiency of the data center overall. About 50% of the electricity consumed in a typical data center is used by the cooling and power systems.

Data centers make up a significant portion of power used by the government.

According to Department of Energy estimates, about 10% of the power consumed by the federal government is used by data centers.

Most data centers are housed by small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Multi-tenant data center usage is increasing, but many businesses still have their own data centers on-site. The largest data centers that make up major cloud providers and other super-computer centers account for less than 10% of the total data centers in the country.

Generating clean, cool air can account for as much as half of total power consumed.

In any size data center, air that is both cool and free of dust is a major requirement for proper operation. Particles in the air must be removed before they settle on IT equipment where they can cause both electrical and temperature problems. The air conditioning and ventilation systems in data centers are constantly running, sometimes using more power than the IT equipment they help protect.

Energy And Cost Savings Are Easy To Implement

The easiest way to increase energy efficiency and cut the costs associated with maintaining a data center is to make adjustments to the air conditioning and ventilation system.

Camfil products have been shown to reduce operation costs, improve air quality, and increase efficiency in all types of data centers. Simply installing Camfil’s 5-Star air filters in existing air ventilation systems can reduce energy expenditure by up to 40% by improving airflow through the system.

With more than 50 years of experience in the air filtration industry, Camfil has designed air filtration products that produce cleaner air, allow for more efficient airflow, and have a lower total cost of ownership than competitive products. Large data center clients have documented six-figure savings in the total cost of ownership by using Camfil air filtration products. Whether your data center is powering a single office or thousands of offices on multiple continents, Camfil has a solution to fit your needs.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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How Hospital Design and Construction Can Help Improve Poor Hospital Air Quality

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Proper design and safeguards can help mitigate the effects of bad hospital air quality that can lead to serious health issues

Outdoor air pollution is a serious threat, especially in health care facilities that are supposed to be sterile and clean, which is why the level of hospital air quality is so important in preventing serious infections.

In fact, infections in hospitals have become a big problem throughout the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 600,000 people in the U.S. each year who develop infections in hospitals, and 75,000 of them will die.

That means that an astounding 12 percent of the people who develop infections during hospital stays will die, which is too high a number for facilities that are intended to save people’s lives.

And while bacteria that originate in IV lines and tubes cause many of the infections, some of the infections originate through airborne viruses and bacteria that find the ideal environment inside a hospital, and spread.

For example, C. diff, which is a virulent type of bacteria that can cause a variety of ailments, including severe diarrhea, lives on surfaces for days.

That means that a hospital worker with C. diff on a pair of gloves who touches a curtain that separates two patients, can transfer the bacteria to that curtain.

And without proper air filtration devices, that bacteria will spread and infect people who frequent that area.

Common Contaminants Affecting Hospital Air Quality

Hospitals are unique in that infections reign wherever a person goes, and the fact that they are contained environments in which infected people are in close proximity with non-infected people, creates a cauldron in which the spread of infection is relatively quick.

Airborne contaminants fare no differently in hospitals, as they can flourish in an environment that incubates their qualities in a way that has negative consequences on good health.

Common types of contaminants in a hospital include mold such as Aspergillus, which results from moisture and creates spores that become airborne with the slightest disturbance.

Studies have also shown the presence of airborne viruses and fungi that are created by moisture and water that can cling to ducts and vents, and spread throughout a hospital when cool air or heat blows through the HVAC system.

These contaminants can have a serious effect on patients who have suppressed or weakened immune systems, and are much more susceptible to lower grade airborne bacteria and viruses that would not affect people with healthy immune systems.

How Hospital Design and Construction Can Help With Air Quality

Poor hospital air quality is usually a perfect storm of bad ventilation, inadequate HVAC systems, and a lack of air filtration systems to ensure that contaminants drawn from polluted outdoor air are eliminated.

Hospitals that are not built to keep airborne contaminants from escaping into other rooms may be at a higher risk of rampant infections.

That’s why some hospitals are designing their rooms to help restrict the spread of airborne contaminants, by keeping them isolated to one location.

Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas accomplished this goal by building an emergency room with an HVAC system that used displacement ventilation, in which air that circulates through the room flows through a return duct that has a HEPA filter that eliminates a high amount of particulates and infectious airborne organisms.

That means that the air that flows back into the room has been filtered to a high level, helping to restrict the spread of contaminants.

In addition, some hospitals are choosing to renovate with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems, which reduce energy costs, improve ventilation and contribute to a greater level of good indoor air quality.

Camfil’s Clean Air Solutions

For more than 50 years, Camfil has been committed to providing affordable and energy-efficient commercial air filtration solutions to clients throughout the U.S., with the guiding principle that clean air should be a human right.

Hospitals seeking to ensure the safety of their patients and staff can benefit from a consultation with a Camfil representative, who can offer a number of clean air solutions.

From conducting on-site tests to evaluating hospital air quality to providing industrial HEPA filters, devices that create negative pressure and containment systems, Camfil is the one-stop shop for all of a hospital’s air filtration needs.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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The Possible Link Between Air Pollution and the Stock Market

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

By now, the dangers of air pollution are well documented, especially as it relates to children and the elderly, who have weaker immune systems, and people who suffer from respiratory problems. But a new study has found a link between air pollution and the stock market, which may indicate that bad air quality is not just a health issue, it may also be an economic hazard.

“Traditionally, we know about the health problems that are associated with bad air quality,” stated Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing“But now we are starting to see that perhaps there is an economic price to pay that is directly related to air quality, and that may help open the eyes of some government officials throughout the world about paying more attention to air pollution.”

The Study

Per an article in the Harvard Business Review titled Air Pollution Brings Down the Stock Market, (1) writer Scott Berinato interviewed Anthony Heyes, a University of Ottawa Economics Professor who conducted the study.

Heyes analyzed information from the S&P 500 index and compared it to the daily air-quality reports provided by an EPA sensor in Wall Street, located in New York.

Heyes and his team found a correlation between high levels of air pollution and low stock performance, which lead them to conclude that bad air quality negatively affects the stock market.

According to Heyes:

“Every time air quality decreased by one standard deviation, we saw a 12% reduction in stock returns. Or to put it in other terms, if you ordered 100 trading days in New York from the cleanest-air day to the dirtiest-air day, the S&P 500 performance would be 15% worse on the 75th cleanest day than it was on the 25th cleanest day. We also replicated this analysis using data from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, and saw the same effect.”

Heyes believes that higher rates of pollutants in the air affect a people’s emotional state, making them more likely to feel depressed.

“[Bad air] negatively affects how you feel and how good you are at thinking,” Heyes stated. “Two, bad moods and lower cognitive capabilities tend to reduce your appetite for risk. Low risk tolerance is associated with lower returns.”

Related Effects of Air Pollution

Heyes’ study that air pollution can affect people’s mood doesn’t exist in a vacuum, however, because a 2015 University of Utah study found a link between suicides and elevated levels of air pollution.

Per an article in Live Science, (2) the study analyzed information on 1,546 suicides in Salt Lake County from 2000 to 2010.

“Researchers then compared the timing of these suicides with air pollution levels, including fine and coarse particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors in the county. They found that suicide risk went up two to three days after levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide rose.”

The study also found that the link between suicide and air pollution was most prevalent in men ages 25 to 64, and that suicide rates were highest in the spring and fall.

Amanda Bakian, an epidemiologist at the University of Utah and the author of the study, said:

“What it makes us think is that air pollution interacts with other spring and fall risk factors for suicide.”

And while the researchers stopped short of declaring a direct causation between air pollution and suicides, they do show a correlation that is disturbing and worthy of further study.

Research has also shown that bad air quality may be correlated to a spike in violent crime.

An article on Breitbart (3) cited a National Bureau of Economic Research study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, which found that violent crime in Chicago increased when air pollution levels were higher.

The study analyzed two million crimes reported by the Chicago Police Department from 2001 to 2012, and “noted the direction of the wind as it blew across neighborhoods near five interstate highways…”

Researchers then factored in precipitation, temperature, wind speed and wind direction during that time and found that serious crimes such as rape and homicide increased by 2.2 percent in neighborhoods that were downwind of those interstates that also had higher levels of nitrous oxides.

Doctors have found that nitrous oxide can affect the part of the brain that causes people to act with aggression.

Again, the study only found a correlation, not a direct causation, but it is clear that increased air pollution can have a negative effect on human behavior.

Clean Air Solutions

For more than 50 years, Camfil has provided clean air filtration systems for commercial industries in an effort to help improve indoor air quality. We understand that air pollution has implications beyond just health, and are committed to creating products that offer clean air solutions. Check out our air filters website for more information about our products and services.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

F: Friend  Camfil USA on Facebook

T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter

Y: Watch Camfil Videos on YouTube

L: Follow our LinkedIn Page

SOURCE Camfil.us

SOURCES

1. http://bit.ly/2qcwOLX
2. http://bit.ly/2qNXuzB
3. http://bit.ly/2qcl0Jv

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