Indoor air is not always clean. Contrary to the common belief that the quality of indoor air is better than that outdoors, lab tests have shown that indoor air may contain molds, spores, pollen and other harmful airborne elements. Children, in particular, are at a greater risk from air pollutants than adults because their lungs are still developing and their immune systems are still weak.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining indoor air quality, the Lung Center of the Philippines has partnered with Honeywell to promote clean air inside its premises. Honeywell recently turned over air purifiers to the Lung Center to protect pulmonary patients and children from exposure to harmful air contaminants that may further risk their health.

Ideal for patients who may be vulnerable to respiratory diseases, the air purifiers were installed in the outpatient rooms of the hospital, the direct observation treatment short courses (DOTS) area for children, as well as in the pediatrician’s clinic.

Honeywell is an air purifier capable of eliminating 99.99 percent of harmful airborne particles such as molds, spores, cat dander, pollen and dust particles and tobacco smoke particles. It is also the only brand endorsed by most American physicians.

"The degree of air pollution in hospitals, especially in an urban city like Metro Manila, may aggravate the symptoms in patients suffering from pulmonary diseases, particularly children," said Franklin Chan, general manager of CYA Industries, distributor of Honeywell. "We cannot underestimate the effects of the quality of air inside our homes and especially inside the hospitals. As such, we want to help the Lung Center ensure the recovery of their patients, as well as in their drive to provide medical services to the poor."

The DOTS area of the Lung Center, where Honeywell installed one of its air purifiers, provides free diagnosis for tuberculosis patients and free medication throughout the course for both children and adults. It adopts a holistic approach in treating patients, since in several cases the children contracted the disease from their parents.

Honeywell also installed air purifiers in the pediatrician’s clinic, which provides free medication and, to a certain degree, free diagnostic procedures depending on the patient’s capacity to pay.

Honeywell air purifiers use different filtration systems to rid the air of pollutants. Some models use true high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration which is capable of eliminating particles a small as 0.3 microns in size. Others use the Intelligent Filter Design, which has antibacterial properties and reduces up to 95 percent of harmful airborne elements.

"Honeywell envisions promoting cleaner air indoors. We are more than happy to partner with the Lung Center, where our air purifiers can make a significant impact on the health of its patients," Chan said.