Ultrafine Particles
The Origins of Ultrafine Particles
Airborne particles originate from many natural and man-made sources (e.g. sand, dust, fire, diesel smoke, sea salt). Ultrafine particles are generated at very high temperatures, such as combustion processes, including wood fires, car engines, industry work, cooking fumes, and cigarette smoke.
Potential Health Hazards
- Ultrafine particles penetrate deep into the lungs. The high concentration of these particles makes it more challenging for the lungs to process, which leads to inflammation.
- These particles are small enough to enter the cells in the body and end up in the bloodstream, potentially causing heart and brain diseases. Children, elderly people, and people with lung issues, like asthma, are especially vulnerable to ultrafine particle air pollution.
Global Regulations
- There are currently no official regulations in place to deal with the ultrafine particle epidemic. But, they are in the process of being developed by several regulatory bodies, such as ISO, OECD, EPA, and CEN.
- Recently published, there is government funding for American building owners to improve IAQ.
- The NYS Hero Act was created to protect New York workers from airborne diseases.
- To learn more about ultrafine particles from the CDC, click here.
What’s in your air?
Pet Hair
Many people are allergic to pets, and with hair measuring from 2.5µ-10µ, it can be difficult to clean.
Pollen
Pollen is an extremely popular allergen, especially during season change with sizes ranging from 10µ-70µ.
Mold
A type of fungi that thrives in moisture, and can cause serious illnesses in humans. Varies in size at 1µ-40µ.
Bacteria
As small as 0.5µ, many disease-causing bacteria produce toxins that weaken cells and make you sick.
Viruses
The smallest of the microbe family, at 0.1µ, a virus takes control over healthy cells and rapidly spreads to others.
Ultrafine Particles
Sized less than 0.1µ, they penetrate deep in the lungs, potentially causing heart and lung diseases.
Note: The images displayed above are not to scale. each particle size represents an estimated mean.
The technology for our time.
The air we breathe is full of microscopic particles. In recent years, scientists are conducting convincing research that indicates the smallest “ultrafine” particles are potential health hazards. Luckily, the Ultrafine Series with DFS technology was built specifically to eradicate these harmful particles, at a higher rate than any purifier in the world.
