Indoor air can be way more polluted than outdoor air. Luckily, air-conditioning systems can help safeguard your health.

As we go about our daily lives, we often overlook a critical aspect of our well-being: the quality of the air we breathe. When we do think about the air we’re breathing, we often focus on outdoor pollution from vehicles and factories. What many people don’t realise is that the air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. [1] While we’re aware of the health risks of outdoor air pollution, we often overlook the similar health dangers [2] of poor indoor air quality.

“Many factors can contribute to poor air quality indoors, including inadequate ventilation, pollutants from cleaning products, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds emitted by furniture and building materials,” says Magrietha Coetzee, Air Solutions Head of Sales at LG Electronics South Africa. “Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergies, and even more severe conditions such as asthma.”

Recognising the risks of poor indoor air quality

Identifying the signs of poor indoor air quality [3] is crucial for safeguarding our health. “Common indicators of bad indoor air quality include noticing a musty or stale odour, experiencing frequent headaches or dizziness, feeling congested or having respiratory issues, or observing an excessive buildup of dust or mould,” says Coetzee. “If you or others in the space experience more frequent allergies or asthma symptoms while indoors, it could indicate poor air quality. Keeping an eye out for these signs can help identify potential issues with the air in your home or workplace.”

How an aircon helps clean the air

“While air conditioning systems are known for keeping us cool in summer and warm in winter, what many people don’t realise is that they can play a crucial role [4] in purifying the air inside our homes,” Coetzee adds. By filtering out dust, allergens, and other impurities, aircons can help create a healthier indoor environment. These systems also control temperature and humidity, which helps prevent mould growth. However, air conditioning systems vary in their ability to purify air.

“LG’s ArtCool range of air conditioners are designed to enhance indoor air quality, providing a fresh and pure environment for your home. Whether you need to cool down or heat up your space, the ArtCool range offers the ability to keep you comfortable during both hot and cold months,” adds Coetzee. “The Multi-stage Filtration System effectively captures and filters dust, allergens, and pollutants, significantly enhancing indoor air quality,” Coetzee explains. This is especially beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions and allergies, as it promotes a healthier living environment by reducing harmful particles and contaminants.

“The Plasmaster Ionizer++ technology goes even further by generating sterilising ions to destroy bacteria and viruses, as well as eliminating unpleasant odours and neutralising harmful substances, such as volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde,” Coetzee adds. “With these features, LG’s ArtCool range of air conditioners provide more than just temperature control—they actively contribute to overall well-being, allowing you to breathe easier and enjoy a healthier, fresher indoor atmosphere.”

In addition to these air filtering capabilities, the ArtCool air conditioner is designed to be harmonised with the interior of your home with a minimal and basic style. The mirror glass on the front of the product reflects the surrounding environment to emphasise the interior and integrity, delivering timeless beauty through the solidity of the glass material. “You can also access and control your air conditioner from anywhere with LG’s exclusive mobile app, ThinQ,” Coetzee explains. “The ArtCool range, equipped with LG’s Dual Inverter Compressor and backed by a ten-year warranty, cools faster, lasts longer, and runs quieter by addressing problems related to inefficiency and noise.”

Prioritising indoor air quality is paramount for our health and well-being, especially considering the substantial time we spend indoors. “By understanding the risks associated with poor indoor air quality and acknowledging the pivotal role of air conditioning systems in maintaining cleaner and healthier indoor environments, we can take proactive steps towards creating spaces that promote overall well-being and vitality for ourselves and our loved ones,” Coetzee concludes.

Sources:

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LG Electronics.

Kenya’s journey to becoming a global industrial powerhouse is on course, President William Ruto has said.

He cited the current robust investor confidence, saying it is attracting substantial foreign and local investments and elevating the country’s industrial agenda.

“Our Special Economic Zone programme is coming of age, vindicating its driving vision of mobilising private investment as the primary driver of economic growth in our country,” he said.

The programme, he said, is aimed at increasing employment, growing exports, enhancing supply and boosting Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings.

President Ruto made the remarks during the official opening of Jumbo Africa Auto Auction Ltd at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone.

Afterwards, he broke ground for the construction of 1000 affordable housing units at the special economic zone.

The President said the Government had invested heavily in similar economic zones across the country. These are Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Sagana (Kirinyaga), Thika, Egerton, Eldoret and Busia.

He said the Naivasha Special Economic Zone’s industrial park is a major boost in the country’s industrialisation. The President pointed out that the facility is the first Japanese car auction in Africa.

“Many doubted this industrial park will become a reality. Fortunately, we have kept our word,” the President said.

He announced that five more investors will soon set up base in Naivasha, among them n electric vehicle manufacturing company.

The Government has bought an extra 5,000 acres to make Naivasha a full-fledged industrial city.

The President noted that the Special Economic Zone will enable buyers purchase vehicles using the Kenya shilling rather than dollars.

“Competitive bidding will guarantee lower prices enhancing the savings buyers will accrue compared to traditional purchasing and car importation,” he added

He said the high demand for vehicles is expected to stimulate the vehicle spare parts industry and overall activities in the automotive sector.

This, he said, will lead to the expansion of the overall economy and the introduction and adoption of emerging technologies.

Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru highlighted the zone’s potential to create more than 100,000 job opportunities therefore addressing unemployment and fostering manufacturing growth in the region.

She cited the lower electricity tariff KSh5 per kilowatt-hour and urged investors to capitalise on the opportunity.

Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Okaniwa Ken said the investments in the special economic zone had the full backing of the Japanese Government.

“Kenya is a gateway to African markets and other countries will be opened up,” he noted

Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara said the facility will open up the area’s economy by “putting Naivasha on the world map”.

Also present were Principal Secretaries Abubakar Hassan (Investment Promotion) and Alex Wachira (Energy), and MPs John Kiarie (Dagoretti) and Maina Karobia (EALA).

Jumbo Africa Auto Auction Ltd CEO Zahid Khan and chairman Chaudhry Rehman expressed their gratitude for the support the Kenya Government had offered them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of President of the Republic of Kenya.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmed Fahmy, said, “President El-Sisi and the Dutch Prime Minister discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation across various political and economic levels, to be consistent with the current momentum in Egyptian-European relations.”

The call also focused on the situation in Gaza, and Egypt’s efforts to restore regional stability by reaching a ceasefire in the region and providing access for humanitarian aid. President El-Sisi reiterated the crucial importance of ending the ongoing war, warning against any military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah, which will have catastrophic consequences on the humanitarian situation in the sector and on regional peace and security. President El-Sisi underscored the vital need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to implement the relevant UN resolutions.

President El-Sisi and the Dutch Prime Minister agreed on the urgency of working towards reaching a ceasefire and ensuring the flow of adequate amounts of humanitarian aid to all areas of Gaza to protect it from the dire humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the sector. They also emphasized the need to move towards the implementation of the two-state solution to contribute to restoring regional stability and establishing security and peace in the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

HE Chairman of Libya’s High Council of State Dr. Mohammed Moftah Takala met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Khaled bin Mohammed Zabin Al Dosari.

During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.