This World Air Quality Week, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is thrilled to confirm its ongoing partnership with Dyson, a world leader in air quality innovation.
“The issue of air quality, particularly internal air quality, is one of growing global interest and of real concern to people with respiratory conditions,” says Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding.
“Dyson has a large team of engineers and researchers working on technology that can improve the air we breathe in our homes, schools and workplaces. The Dyson team share our vision of improving respiratory health for all New Zealanders, which why we are thrilled that they have reconfirmed their ongoing Gold Sponsorship in our Friends of the Foundation programme.
Ms Harding explains that as people generally spend up to 90% of their lives inside, indoor air quality has a significant impact on health. “The quality of the air we breathe is as important as the quality of water we drink or the food we eat, and this is especially true for people living with respiratory conditions.”
"We know that the impact of indoor air pollutants like mould, dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials and furnishings can trigger and worsen respiratory symptoms. Studies have also shown that ongoing exposure, or exposure to large quantities of mould, can cause asthma. Ongoing research and development to find practical solutions to internal air quality is essential, and Dyson is actively engaged in this work.”
Dyson is working with the David Hide Asthma and Allergy Research Centre in the United Kingdom to investigate if air purifiers can improve symptoms of asthma. Other recent research has shown that air purifiers can make a difference to symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The Foundation receives no Government funding, and is reliant on the support of community grants, supporters and generous, long-term sponsors like Dyson. “Dyson has supported our work for the last three years. This ongoing commitment has been instrumental in our essential research, advocacy and education work on behalf of the 700,000 Kiwis living with respiratory conditions,” says Ms Harding.
