New Delhi, Delhi, India:
Air pollution is the second biggest health hazard in India and a recent Lancet report validates this. It states that there has been a 17 percent rise in deaths and disabilities due to diseases caused by air pollution across the country last year, making it the largest environmental health risk. With an aim to gauge the impact of air pollution indoors, Eureka Forbes Limited recently conducted a pilot study, “lung filter test” across regions in Delhi & Gurgaon over a span of four weeks. The study monitored indoor air quality in 11 residences using Eureka Forbes’ Dr. Aeroguard’s special HEPA protection lung filter to showcase for the first-time invisible pollutants present in the indoor air. These lung filter samples were tested and analyzed by FICCI Research & Analysis centre in Delhi.
The findings revealed some hard-hitting facts about air pollution being the biggest issue for most of the households in that region. The concentration levels of the pollutants found on the filters tested were extremely shocking. The study results also demonstrated clearly the different kinds of dangerous air pollutants apart from PM 2.5 that are present indoors like Arsenic, Lead, Nickel, Chromium and Cadmium and their harmful effects on the human body. Apart from increasing levels of air pollution, respondents surveyed were breathing chemical contaminants which are very harmful to health.
Key Findings of the report
| Pollutant |
Concentration of pollutant in indoor air |
Average quantity of pollutant entering the body per year while breathing |
Potential Impact on Human Health |
| Arsenic, µg/m3 |
0.62 µg/m3
|
2398.78 µg
|
Arsenic is a carcinogen which causes many cancers including skin, lung and bladder as well as cardiovascular diseases. |
| Lead, µg/m3 |
3.03 µg/m3
|
11557 µg
|
Lead can enter a foetus through the placenta of the mother. Because of this it can cause serious damage to the nervous system and the brain of unborn children.
Behavioral disruptions of children, such as aggression, impulsive behavior and hyperactivity
|
| Nickel, µg/m3 |
0.283 µg/m3
|
1080 µg
|
The most serious harmful health effects from exposure to nickel, such as chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and cancer of the lung and nasal sinus, have occurred in people who have breathed dust containing certain nickel compounds |
| Chromium, µg/m3 |
0.375 µg/m3
|
1431 µg
|
Low-level exposure can irritate the skin and cause ulceration. Long-term exposure can cause kidney and liver damage, and damage to circulatory and nerve tissue |
| Cadmium, µg/m3 |
0.332 µg/m3
|
1267.5 µg
|
Long-term exposure is associated with renal (kidney) dis-function. High exposure can lead to obstructive lung disease and has been linked to lung cancer. Cadmium may also produce bone defects (osteomalacia, osteoporosis) in humans and animals |
Sharing his thoughts on this initiative, Mr. Marzin Shroff, MD & CEO - Eureka Forbes Limited said, “Today air pollution is one of the major contributor of critical health issues affecting millions of lives across the country. Considering the high levels of air pollution recorded in the national capital over the past two months, we aim to inform and educate the consumers about the various harmful indoor air pollutants and its impact on human health through this study. The purpose was to gauge the extent of pollutants present indoors by using Aeroguard’s unique HEPA protection lung filters and how it is affecting the health of individuals. We want to encourage people to take action in minimizing their risk and mitigate indoor air quality problems effectively.”
Through this initiative, Eureka Forbes aimed to create awareness and alleviate the problem of rising air pollution in the country. For the first time, the individuals could actually see what they have been breathing at their homes over the years.
About Eureka Forbes
Eureka Forbes Limited is India’s leading health and hygiene brand. It is a multi-product, multi-channel organization with a gross group turnover of Rs. 30,407 million for the year ending 31st March 2017. A part of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Eureka Forbes’ product portfolio encompasses water purification, vacuum cleaning, air purification and home security solutions. It has a base of 15 mn happy customers, a reach of over 1,500 cities and towns in India and a global footprint across 53 countries. In addition to Asia’s largest direct sales force, it has dealer and institutional channels, an inventive business partner network, a rural channel and one of the most expansive service networks in India. In its 34 years of existence, Eureka Forbes has been a pioneer and trendsetter in direct selling in India and today is one of the largest direct selling companies in the world.
Aquaguard is the flagship water purifier brand of Eureka Forbes and has been conferred with numerous Indian and international awards for its superior technology.
Having been the first brand to launch air purifiers in India, Eureka Forbes has introduced revolutionary innovations in air purification with the launch of a range of air purifiers in 2015 under the brands, Dr. Aeroguard and Aeroguard. This new range of air purifiers is a breakthrough solution to India’s crippling problem of air pollution. Eureka Forbes started with air purifiers in the year 1996 and have been selling purifiers for almost 20 years now.
Click here for Media Contact Details
Submit your press release
