Staying at Home More? Ensure Your Indoor Air Quality is Cleaner with HEPA + Humidifier + Plasmacluster Ion
Whether you and your family are staying at home more because of COVID-19, or according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you might be among most people who already spend approximately 90 of their time indoors; the indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical to your overall health.
EPA studies show that exposure to air pollutants indoors may be two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.
The EPA states that IAQ management includes:
- Control of airborne pollutants;
- Introduction and distribution of adequate outdoor air; and
- Maintenance of acceptable temperature and relative humidity.
The Important Role of Maintaining Humidity Levels in the Home
Many attribute in-room humidifiers for being great to help alleviate dry skin. But its benefits extend beyond the surface of the skin.
In an article posted by Mayo Clinic staff, room humidifiers are credited for soothing, familiar problems such as dry sinuses, bloody noses and cracked lips caused by dry indoor air.
Buyer beware. There are many simple humidifiers on the market that need to be cleaned at least twice a week to prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the unit.
When shopping for an in-room humidifier, considering these critical facts helps ensure the best result. Look for a unit that maintains the ideal level of humidity of between 40 and 60 percent based on the room’s temperature and without ever having to turn the unit off. It’s equally important to choose a unit that when the humidifying function is not in use, the wick can remain stationary and suspended above the water level, allowing for the airflow to thoroughly dry the wick to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
A Trifecta: HEPA + Humidifier + Plasmacluster Ion
We’ve established that an in-room humidifier is essential to maintaining better indoor air quality, but that leaves out the importance of removing harmful airborne particles.
A portable in-room air purifier with a built-in humidifier, a True HEPA filter, and Plasmacluster Ion technology all in one unit not only keeps the level of humidity constant but it also helps ensure better indoor air quality in your home.
An in-room air purifier with a True HEPA filter (HEPA Class H14) captures up to 99.975% of airborne particles measuring as small as 0.3 micrometers that pass through the filter. The EPA states that ensuring better IAQ by minimizing indoor air pollutants is essential. Poor IAQ can have severe repercussions on an individual’s health. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to pollutant exposure. Health effects include respiratory problems (including asthma), chronic fatigue, headaches, and cancer.
Some common home air pollutants measuring 0.3 micrometers or higher that can be captured by a True HEPA filter are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and bacteria.
Completing the trifecta is Sharp’s patented Plasmacluster Ion (PCI) air purification technology. The Plasmacluster Ion technology mimics nature’s cleaning process, by splitting water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions, which spread throughout the room and actively break down pollutants like germs, airborne and surface-adhering bacteria, fungus, mold, viruses and clinging odors, and then return to the air as water vapor.
When tested in a closed laboratory setting, Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology has been proven effective in reducing the following:
- Certain viruses, including MS2 (90.3% reduction). MS2 is a viral stimulant and surrogate in laboratory testing for many common infectious microorganisms such as influenza and smallpox.
- Certain bacteria including: E. Coli (94.0% reduction), Staphylococcus Epidermidis (84.3% reduction), Serratia marcescens (89.7% reduction)
- Certain common molds and fungus, including Penicillium Citrinum (87.7% reduction),
- Aspergillus Niger (85.8% reduction)
Also, Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology is proven effective in reducing odors such as cigarette smoke, cooking smells, pets, and perspiration that conventional filters don’t reach that are embedded in carpets, drapery, and furniture.
Bringing it Home!
With a focus on Simply Better Living, Sharp has developed multiple air purifier models that combine the three critical elements of humidification, True HEPA filtration and Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology to help ensure your indoor air quality is cleaner and safer.
