We talk a lot about pollution of the seas and atmosphere, but less attention is paid to the problem of pollution of the air we breathe indoors.
It is estimated that an average adult person breathes about 12,000 liters of air per day. Most of this is indoor air, that is, air we breath indoors, where we spend on average more than 80 percent of our lives. These two figures alone are enough to understand the importance of maintaining optimal indoor air quality in the environments we live, from homes to schools to workplaces.
And it is with this goal in mind that theBreath®, the first printable fabric capable of retaining and breaking down harmful particles by harnessing the natural movement of air, was born. We presented it here, and today we return to tell you about it to explain in more detail its ability to purify the air of pollutants.
Main pollutants in indoor air
Most of the pollutants that affect indoor air quality are endogenous, that is, they come from inside the buildings themselves, in part minor pollutants such as Nox, Benzene and Sox come instead from outside through open doors and windows, ventilation systems or cracks in structures.
Major indoor pollutants include:
- cleaning products, paints, insecticides and other commonly used products that introduce various chemicals;
- building materials, furniture and appliances through the release of degrading materials (e.g., asbestos fibers released from building insulation) or from new materials (e.g., chemical exhaust from pressed wood products);
- other harmful substances in indoor air are of natural origin, such as mold, and pet hair radon, or from people’s activities such as smoking or even cooking.
All of these materials can put a number of very harmful pollutants into circulation, including especially formaldehyde, benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone, etc.
Impact of pollutants on human health
Several scientific studies attest that prolonged exposure to these substances poses serious health risks. As described in the table below, many of the substances we breathe in at home or at work are classified by AIRC, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, as recognized or probable carcinogens.
Most of the ailments caused by inhaling these pollutants are related to respiratory problems, irritation, allergies, but also to difficulty concentrating and exhaustion, all the way up to far more serious diseases such as cancers and leukemia.
The effectiveness of theBreath® in combating air pollution
theBreath® is specifically designed to trap and break down harmful particles responsible for air pollution and the health disorders that result from it. Its innovative technology, in addition to being patented, is the result of extensive research and experimentation.
The fabric is composed of three overlapping layers. The front one, which is the same as the back one, is made of 100% Polyester fiber modified with activated molecules and is a printable, bactericidal surface that facilitates air transpiration. In the middle of the two layers is a carbon cartridge capable of attracting pollutant molecules within its structure and preventing their release. In this way, the molecules are absorbed and broken down.
In addition, the fibers of the two outer fabrics contain silver ions that exert effective control over bacteria, gram-positive and gram-negative, and certain types of fungi.
The effectiveness of theBreath® in absorbing the harmful substances seen above is confirmed by studies developed in collaboration with the Università Politecnica delle Marche Department SIMAU (Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning), carried out following the international standards UNI, ISO, ANSI. The following are the results that emerged:
theBreath® has also passed product performance tests, obtaining important certifications, including ISO 16000-9 (test for determination of the specific flow per surface area of emission of volatile organic compounds – VOC’s – from newly manufactured building products or finishing products under defined climatic conditions), ISO 18184: 2019 (determination of the antiviral activity of textile products) and UNI 11247 (test for the determination of the photocatalytic abatement index of nitrogen oxides in air by inorganic materials).
theBreath® is therefore a valuable ally in the fight against indoor air pollution and has numerous applications as a medium for printing decorative, informational and educational materials in public and private places.
If you would like to receive more information, please fill out the form and you will be contacted by one of our agents.