While New Year’s Day came with equal parts joy and hopeful anticipation, the annual barrage of fireworks also brought in a slew of hazards that are harmful to health.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed concern at spikes in Metro Manila’s air pollution during the region’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Just before 1am of January 1, 2015, a real-time monitoring station in one of Metro Manila’s cities recorded the highest level of PM10 pollutants at 2,000 micrograms per normal cubic meter (mcg/Ncm). The normal ambient guideline value of PM10 is 60mcg/Ncm, according to the DENR.
According to a paper published in the Indian Chest Society’s official publication, Lung India, fireworks contain substances that release large amounts of air pollutants. This is problematic given its direct consequences on human health.
When adults are exposed to high levels of air pollution, they are at risk of developing respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergic rhinitis, and lung cancers. Meanwhile, children are especially more vulnerable to this threat. Because they engage in physical activities more than older individuals, they also take in more air, which could only mean greater exposure to pollutants.
To increase family safety and protection from air pollution, Philips, a global health and wellbeing company, recommends a powerful air-cleaning duo consisting of Philips’ living room air purifier and PowerPro Compact bagless vacuum cleaner.
“One of the first steps to making our families healthier is by making sure that our homes are clean, healthy spaces to live in,” says RJ Buenaventura, Philips General Manager for Personal Health. “Sometimes, people forget that clean air is important to the safety of their homes and families. By innovating appliances that effectively remove indoor air pollutants and dust, we at Philips enable consumers to take simple yet significant steps to having clean air at home.”
The air purifier comes equipped with Philips’ VitaShield Intelligent Purification System that effectively removes pollutants including ultrafine particles, allergens, viruses, and bacteria. Its built-in smart sensor also automatically measures air quality and selects the appropriate control setting for healthy indoor air.
A complement to the Air Purifier is Philips’ PowerPro Compact bagless vacuum cleaner. The vacuum uses PowerCyclone 4 technology that separates air and dirt at the same time. It also uses an EPA filter that catches microscopic allergens.
With the combined powers of Philips’ air purifier and vacuum cleaner, families can keep the air in their homes clean and healthy throughout the year.
To learn more about Philips products, log on to www.philips.com.ph.