Importance Of Clean Air In Hospitals Stimulates Advances In Air Purification Technologies
Palo Alto, CA - It is essential for healthcare facilities to create safe and clean environments by investing in air purification technologies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollutes nearly two to five times more than outside air. When air pollution in healthcare facilities goes beyond the admissible levels, it can cause adverse outcomes in cases of pregnancy such as low birth weight and stillborn babies, among other issues.
New research from Frost & Sullivan (www.ti.frost.com), Advances in Air Purification Technologies for Healthcare Industry, finds that increasing air pollution, combined with the rising number of patients with immune system deficiencies, has become a serious healthcare threat.
"There is a huge price to pay for airborne infections, both in terms of human life and financial costs, therefore, it is essential to ensure the best air quality in hospitals by eliminating air pollution," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Rebecca Bright. "Air purification technologies are needed in operating rooms, laboratories, intensive care units, isolation rooms, army hospitals, prisons and during construction or renovation of hospitals."
Some examples include the need for air purification technologies in the hematology department, as patients are easily prone to infection and other airborne diseases. Similar units would also be required in pediatric wards.
Despite obvious health benefits, awareness is a major challenge in the field of air purification technologies in the healthcare sector. There are still regions in the world, especially in developing nations, where air purification issues are not a serious threat. This may stem from lack of knowledge regarding these pollutants and their effects.
"Lack of awareness of pollution prevention equipment and negligence in the monitoring of such equipment impacts their efficiency," explains Bright. "Also, the limited economy of developing countries may be a challenge for certain advanced air quality purification systems that are expensive either in their initial investment or maintenance costs."
Increased efficiency and lower cost pressure of air purification technologies expect to be the industry focus in the near future. In addition, environmental agencies such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have set guidelines that dictate the implementation of these life-saving technologies.
Advances in Air Purification Technologies for Healthcare Industry is part of the Technical Insights Subscription and provides an overview of developments of air purification technologies in the environmental industry, along with key drivers, influencing market factors, challenges and analysis of trends witnessed in the industry. In this study, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the practical applications of emerging technologies. Interviews with the press are available.
SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency