IKEA commits to creating clear indoor air accessible for its customers
IKEA is developing affordable and high-performance solutions such as the upcoming FÖRNUFTIG air purifier, which is slated to launch everywhere in February 2021
Clean indoor air is crucial for health and wellbeing IKEA is committed to helping many people clean the air in their homes by developing affordable, high-performance solutions.
The company's decision to launch the FÖRNUFTIG air purifier is a new step on this path. It will initially be launched in mainland China in November 2020 and will be launched in other IKEA stores from February 2021.
“At IKEA, we believe that clean indoor air shouldn't be a luxury for the few. That is why one of our top priorities in developing the FÖRNUFTIG air purifier was to achieve a low price for both the air purifier and the filters, ”says Henrik Telander, Product Owner at IKEA in Sweden.
“Air purifiers are not a viable option for most people today, especially not for people who live in a small space. With that in mind, we've optimized the air purifier for around 10 square meters using less material in smarter ways, which has allowed us to lower the price. "
Indoor air pollution is a major health problem that can cause heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer. The indoor pollutant that scientists believe to be the most harmful to human health is particulate matter (PM). The best pose the greatest risk as they can get into the bloodstream and damage the heart and other organs, including the brain.
“There is a common misconception that air pollution occurs mainly outdoors and that our home is a safe haven. IKEA carried out a poll on clean air in 2018 and found that people around the world underestimate air pollution in their homes, ”says Alexandra Audrey Galef, Director of Sustainability Development at IKEA in Sweden.
IKEA's “Clean Air at Home” guide contains many simple things people can do to improve indoor air quality. For example, use an exhaust fan while cooking, clean regularly to reduce dust or mold, and use tools that purify the air. "
The FÖRNUFTIG air purifier has a pre-filter that removes large particles such as hair and dust, a filter for particle removal that removes smaller particles in the air such as dust and pollen up to PM2.5 (particle size 2.5 µm), and a filter for Gas purification This cleanses the air of various gaseous pollutants such as VOC and formaldehyde and reduces unpleasant odors such as smoking and cooking.
It's designed to be easy to use as it starts by simply turning the dial to set the fan speed you want based on activity at home. Depending on the fan speed, it consumes 2.5 W to 19 W.
“One of the reasons FÖRNUFTIG is affordable because we have succeeded in significantly reducing energy consumption and thus ensuring low operating costs for the customer,” says Henrik Telander.
IKEA has been reducing air pollution from its own operations for many years and has phased out chemicals to avoid harmful effects on human health or the environment throughout the product life cycle. One example is formaldehyde, for which the IKEA limit value for individual wood-based materials is well below the European limit value.
“We know there is no single solution to air pollution. We are committed to positive changes in the long term so that people can lead healthier and more sustainable lives, ”says Alexandra Galef.
