Take A Breath - Better Air Can Be A Reality!
The "Take A Breath" campaign is an initiative focused on enhancing indoor air quality to promote better well-being and mitigate health risks associated with pollutants and allergens in enclosed spaces. It advocates for awareness, education, and actionable steps to transform the air we breathe within our residences, educational institutions, workplaces, local neighborhoods, and beyond.
The reality of indoor air - it may Be worse than outdoor air!
Indoor air pollution is a silent threat, and surprisingly, it's 70% worse than outdoor air pollution. Sources of indoor air pollution include common allergens like dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Less obvious sources like particulate matter, VOCs and carbon dioxide are also hiding in our homes and workplaces.
Office and commercial spaces don’t always breathe easy!
Workplaces are as vulnerable to indoor air pollution as homes due to factors like HVAC systems design, operation, and maintenance. Because people have less control over office environments, there have been numerous reported health issues.
How does poor air Affect health?
Indoor air pollutants can harm the lungs, and have been associated with increased respiratory problems including allergies, chronic lung diseases such as asthma and even lung cancer.
Did you know
that releasing greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, can cause various climate problems, including extreme weather events?
The recent sand and dust storms, heatwaves, and wildfires in different parts of the world serve as evidence of this. These events result in the accumulation of allergens and pollutants, like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have adverse health effects.
Getting Started: Enhancing indoor air quality is essential for well-being, but where to begin?
Discover a few straightforward solutions here to kickstart your journey without feeling overwhelmed.
Steps we can take – daily, weekly, Monthly, and annually
Daily to yearly active steps you can take to improve indoor air quality.
Nature's Natural Air Purification
Certain plants, like the Peace Lily, naturally remove indoor pollutants.
Maintain Clean Indoor Air
Regularly maintain your air conditioners by cleaning filters quarterly, ducts annually, and vacuuming surfaces to combat allergens.
Effective Air Purification
Choose from various air purification solutions, including HVAC systems and standalone air purifiers with HEPA filters for cleaner, healthier indoor air.
Optimize Ventilation
Ensure consistent fresh air flow by opening windows and using exhaust fans to reduce indoor pollutants.
Control Humidity
Keep indoor humidity levels between 30 – 50% to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth.
Environmentally Friendly Choices
Reduce the release of hazardous substances by switching from chemical to nature-based products, providing non-toxic alternatives for a cleaner environment.
Harness the power of knowledge with affordable, advanced technology to monitor your indoor air. Smart air quality monitors provide insights and alerts for your indoor environment, enabling proactive responses.
Spread the news of Better air on socials!
Don’t be shy, get social! Spread the word on improving indoor air quality and fostering healthier environments.
Record yourself telling your indoor air quality story and spread the word using the hashtag #TakeABreath.
Why championing the clean air cause helps us all?
Apart from improving your health and wellbeing, there are numerous larger benefits to clean air that impact the entire world, from communities to educational institutes, and society at large.
When we break it down, the benefits of better air quality include:
Public health and wellbeing
Better air quality leads to reduced risks of respiratory illnesses, allergies, and other health problems – leading to overall productivity across sectors.
Improved sustainability goals
The current biggest challenge the world faces is climate change. Improved air quality aligns with many global sustainability goals, helping to combat the climate crisis.
Improved confidence and collective responsibility
The air we breathe has a global health impact, and there is an enhanced collective responsibility to make changes. Regular air quality testing promotes a commitment to transparency in both public and private spaces.
Making a commitment to improve our air starts today, so that we can achieve all these benefits for generations to come!
Un commitment to clean indoor air
The Conference of Parties (COP), the UNFCCC’s highest decision-making body, was established in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Summit or Earth Summit. Going forward, COP28 is expected to adopt global commitments and deadlines to combat climate change, making it a historic event for the UAE!
UAE’S COMMITMENT TO CLEAN INDOOR AIR
UAE is the host of the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC from November 30, 2023 to December 12, 2023. COP28 will coincide with the UAE National Day, and is set to be a global event with participation from more than 80,000 delegates, including 140 heads of state and government, and more than 5,000 media professionals. The UAE will be the second country in the Middle East to host a COP session after Egypt in 2022. The comes after the UNFCCC made this decision after UAE received unanimous support from the Asia-Pacific group at COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland in 2021.
Some initiatives and commitments set forth by the UAE include:
- Agricultural innovation with investments in smart-agricultural systems in the next 5 years
- UAE has joined the Global Methane Pledge, aimed at reducing methane emissions by 30% by the end of 2023.
- Investments in maximizing global sources of energy and helping developing countries do the same.
- By the end of the decade, the UAE aims at planting 100 million mangrove trees as part of its second NDC (Nationally determined contribution).
- UAE aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, as part of its strategic initiative – Net Zero 2050.
Numerous experts and studies have linked increased indoor air pollution to severe health problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor air. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 6.7 million premature deaths occur annually due to air pollution, affecting 9 out of 10 people globally. Indoor air pollution significantly contributes to this global death toll, causing an estimated 3.2 million fatalities each year, including over 237,000 children under 5.
SO, ARE YOU READY TO TAKE A BREATH WITH US?
We believe that action inspires change and your commitment counts!
So take the step with us and join the mission of creating cleaner, healthier air for generations to come.
To learn more about how you can get involved, feel free to contact us on ask@takeabreath.com
We can help you take simple steps that add up to create big impact.