Airborne diseases, such as tuberculosis, measles, influenza, strep, MRSA, pneumonia, and the common cold are emitted when infected individuals (even those who aren’t showing symptoms) exhale, cough, sneeze, sing or talk. Very tiny droplets that carry the disease viruses and/or bacteria can be inhaled into the lungs or land in the mouths, noses or eyes of people who are nearby and begin to infect their new host by overwhelming their immune system. Less often, a person might become infected by touching an object that has an infectious virus or bacteria on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. In 2014 MIT researchers completed a study on gas clouds related to coughs and sneezes, funded by the National Science Foundation The study found:

• Infectious pathogens in the cough or sneeze gas cloud stayed suspended in the air longer than originally thought
• The smaller droplets that emerge from a cough or sneeze can travel 5 to 200 times further than if those same droplets moved as unconnected particles. (not in a cough or sneeze cloud)

This new finding makes the quality of air we breathe even more important when you consider the average person breathes about 3,000 gallons or 388 Cu ft of air everyday. Put into real life situation consider this scenario where an infected person walks into your office that’s an average room size of 12” x 12” x 8”, to tell you something, coughs or sneezes and then leaves.

• A 12’ x 12′ x 8′ room = 1,152 Cu ft
• A 1,152 Cu ft room holds 8,617 Gallons of air. (Not Oxygen, important)
• The average person breathes 3,000 gallons of air a day. So, 3,000 / 24 hours = 125 Gallons of air breathed into the lungs every hour.
• A typical work day of 8 hours means (8 Hours x 125 Gallons Air/ Hour) = 1,000 Gallons of air breathed while at work or put another way 12% of the 8,617 Gallons of air in the room.

How do you like your chances of not getting sick from breathing 12% of the air in the room knowing the infectious pathogens can travel up to 200 times further than previously thought, from just one sneeze? This make the air quality we breath on a daily basis even more important for sickness prevention. Less often, a person might become infected by touching an object that has an infectious virus or bacteria on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

How Hospitals Combat Airborne Disease

“Hospitals have been using UV light air purification systems for years as an effective means to reduce exposure to airborne diseases in their facilities. Now consumers, schools and business have access to this same powerful technology in a convenient floor unit,” stated Bryan Stone, MD, Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Chief of Medicine for Desert Regional Medical Center. “Unfortunately, most consumers aren’t aware of this technology because it has only recently become available to consumers and non-healthcare businesses.” Dr. Stone noted, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has done an excellent job educating consumers about vaccination and following careful hygiene and sanitation protocols for airborne infection prevention and it is now time for them to add UV air purification into their list of recommended preventive measures as consumers finally have access to UV Air purification devices that FDA and EPA-certified laboratory test data verifies as effective in inactivating a broad array of airborne diseases.”

Preventing Airborne Infections

Dr. Stone emphasized, no single measure is 100% effective in preventing the spread and transmission of airborne infections. However, by employing these four preventive measures, you can minimize your own and your family’s exposure:

1. UV air purification (only devices proven to be effective in EPA- and FDA-certified laboratories, such as RxAir)
2. Vaccination
3. Following careful hygiene and sanitation protocols,
4. Avoiding contact with obviously infected individuals

RXAIR the trusted air purifier choice of hundreds of hospitals is available for purchase online as well as at participating retailers . Interested in taking the extra steps towards reducing airborne transmission of diseases? Read more: Why A UV Air Purifier is Essential in Preventing the Flu.