Chemical pollutants
Thanks to a revolutionary purification system, the Ikibox purifiers are able to purify the indoor air to 99.9999% in only 10 minutes. Our devices are particularly effective against chemical pollutants: volatile organic compounds, endocrine disruptors, formaldehydes, methane, radon, etc.....
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
VOCs, such as benzene and toluene, are toxic and can accumulate in the body, creating health risks: poisoning, cancer, lung and cardiovascular disease…
Most of them, originating from the chemical industry, have carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) effects. We find them in all of our habitats, living spaces and everyday household products, especially volatile air fresheners, indoor air deodorants, paints, varnishes and glues.
Endocrine disruptors
These are chemical substances, mostly artificial, foreign to our organism and which have deleterious effects on the endocrine organs because they are difficult to biodegrade.
Endocrine disruptors also have CMR effects (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic). They are found everywhere: in cosmetics, cleaning products, pharmaceutical compositions, coatings, paints, glues, plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, etc., as well as in the water and air cycles.
Endocrine disruptors enhance or inhibit the production of hormones, alter the functioning of the affected organ or even the whole body, and can eventually lead to a total blockage of the endocrine system through saturation.
Their main effects are dysfunction of vital organs, immunodeficiency, childhood obesity, growth retardation, decreased fertility, intrauterine mental retardation, malformations...
Formaldehydes (flammable organic compounds)
Formaldehydes result from combustion and are emitted by building materials and household products. They are found everywhere: paints, adhesives, varnishes, floor finishes… They are also used to preserve organic matter (embalming), are present in the smoke of heating systems and especially in tobacco smoke.
Highly carcinogenic, it is an irritant gas that causes burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, causing severe breathing difficulties and increasing allergic sensitivity.
Ozone (O3)
Ozone is formed by the photochemical transformation of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and VOCs (NOx and VOCs). It is produced by human activities such as transport, industries, heating…
The health effects are mainly respiratory and cardiac. They are very harmful because ozone acts directly on cellular functions. Exposure to ozone causes irritation of the nose, throat, skin and eyes, leading to headaches or breathing difficulties, and especially a decrease in the immune system. Particularly sensitive people are children, the elderly and asthmatics.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion (transport, industry, heating, combustion of wood, coal, gasoline, vehicles or small combustion engines, barbecues, tobacco smoke…).
The harm depends on the time of exposure because it is an asphyxiating gas that takes the place of oxygen in the blood:
- Low exposure: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and motor function disorders ;
- High or long-term exposure: dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, vision problems and difficulty concentrating;
- Extreme exposure: convulsions, coma and possible death.
Nitrogen dioxide
and sulfur oxide
They come mainly from transport-related activities, but also from combustion from industry or heating systems.
The health effects are mainly respiratory, such as irritation and inflammation of the bronchial tubes or respiratory infections. They increase sensitivity to allergens in people with asthma.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
and mercaptans
These foul smelling gases result from industrial processes in the petroleum, steel and pulp and paper sectors.
Recognizable by their rotten egg smell, it is the result of the decomposition of organic matter in an anaerobic way (without O2). The largest emission sources are agricultural activities (cattle breeding), natural gas exploitation and the mining industry.
They are emitted from drainage (sewer) and wastewater treatment facilities. They are also produced naturally in marshes, bogs and swamps.
- In low concentrations: they generate an olfactory nuisance and can cause irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.
In high concentrations, these gases are lethal. They cause rapid loss of consciousness, sometimes convulsive coma, and respiratory and cardiac problems.
Methane (CH4)
Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. It is the cause of the increase in infectious diseases (cholera, malaria…) and causes cardiovascular and pulmonary problems.
Radon (Rn)
This odourless natural gas is radioactive. It comes from the natural decay of uranium in the ground but is also due to poor ventilation inside buildings. Exposure to radon is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
