Wildfire smoke. Be prepared. In the early 1900s, a young soldier coined the phrase “Be Prepared” which was later adopted as the motto for the Boy Scouts of America. The sentiment behind the phrase can be applied universally to many situations, but none more so than being prepared for wildfire smoke.  Who should prepare for wildfire smoke? While there are areas of the country and times during the year when wildfires are more likely to occur than others, they can appear suddenly and wherever there is fuel to burn. Since wildfire smoke can travel hundreds if not thousands of miles from the s ..read more

Air pollution is a pressing global concern with significant health implications. With escalating air pollution levels, a persistent pandemic, and heightened awareness of indoor air quality, the role of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration is increasingly critical. As per 2023 data from the American Lung Association, many US cities, most of which are in California, have poor air quality based on measures of ozone and particle pollution. Looking ahead, urbanization, climate change, and technological advancements are expected to shape the future of air quality and the demand for HEPA ..read more

Early Wednesday morning (June 7), pollution in New York City was so severe that its air quality rating was one of the worst in the world, second only to Delhi, due in large part to smoke traveling on the wind from Canadian wildfires. In response, the City of New York has issued an air quality advisory for the entire city and the FAA issued a ground stop at New York’s  LaGuardia Airport due to low visibility.  The advisory warns New Yorkers that those with respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD may experience difficulty breathing or worsening symptoms due to poor air quality ..read more

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is an annual, international campaign aimed at raising awareness about the negative impacts of tobacco use on users, farmers, and the environment. Observed each year on May 31st, WNTD has been recognized since 1987 and is spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO).  In recognition of World No Tobacco Day 2023, air quality experts from Camfil discuss the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine use and secondhand smoke on human health.  What is World No Tobacco Day?  World No Tobacco Day is an important reminder for everyone to be aware of the he ..read more

Discussions of the benefits of cleaner air often highlight the impact of both indoor and ambient (outdoor) air pollution on human health, particularly the health of our lungs and hearts, and on the environment. However, the benefits of breathing clean air extend far beyond reduced instances of respiratory irritation and diseases. An important but often overlooked benefit of clean indoor air is its positive effects on worker productivity. In this article, Camfil air quality experts discuss how air quality impacts productivity and how to achieve clean air in commercial office spaces.  How D ..read more

The 2023 Allergy Capitals Report, released in March, named Tulsa and Oklahoma City among the top five worst allergy seasons in the country, with Oklahoma ranked at number four and Tulsa at number five.  The report, conducted by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), examined data from NASA on pollen levels along with statistics about over-the-counter medication usage and access to allergy specialists to determine which of the United States’ 100 most populous cities has the worst allergy season. Oklahoma City has earned a high-ranking spot for seven consecutive years and Tuls ..read more

The annual Allergy Capitals Report has recently named Dallas, Texas as the second worst city in the country for allergy sufferers. The report looked at a variety of factors, including pollen count, over-the-counter medication usage, and the accessibility of allergists and immunologists to determine which areas are most affected by allergy season each year. In Dallas, high levels of pollen and other allergens make it especially difficult for those with allergies or asthma to enjoy the beautiful weather that the city offers year-round.  In this article, air quality experts from Camfil discu ..read more

Allergies are an increasingly common condition in the United States. The 2023 Allergy Capitals Report provides an important insight into the cities currently suffering from the worst allergy season. This report identifies the top 100 cities in America where allergies are most problematic, taking factors such as airborne pollen counts, median mold spores, and ragweed allergen index into account. Knowing which cities suffer from higher-than-normal allergen levels can help those with allergies prepare for the upcoming seasons and make informed decisions about their travels and daily activities. I ..read more

Air quality should be a top priority for hotels and facility managers alike, with good indoor air potentially making the difference between an enjoyable stay or disappointment among guests. Poor air quality can be caused by a variety of factors such as bio-allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander; pollutant gases from building materials like paint; external allergens brought in from outdoors like pollen grains; smoke from cigarettes or even cooking fumes. The latter factor is an especially important consideration from the perspective of a hotel guest. Lingering odors from previou ..read more

The recent results of a long-term experiment have revealed a correlation between exposure to air pollution and rapid deterioration of bone strength and density in menopausal women.  Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million Americans, with approximately 2.1 million osteoporosis-related bone fractures resulting in an impact of upwards of $20 billion on the American healthcare system each year. Osteoporosis is more likely to affect women, and postmenopausal women are at the greatest risk, with half of the women over fifty experiencing a bone fracture as a result of osteoporosis.  Th ..read more