May 1, World Asthma Day

May 1 marked the annual World Asthma Day. World Health Organization estimates that 300 million people currently suffer from asthma. I chose 3 Israeli inventions that help people with asthma and benefit the environment.

ProAir HFA Inhalation Aerosol
To replace inhalers containing ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) banned by FDA, Israel’s Teva Pharmaceuticals introduced the ProAir HFA Inhalation Aerosol — an environmentally friendly device for delivering inhaled asthma medication. Teva partnered with the American Lung Association to help some 20 million asthma patients transition to the new inhaler.

CanarIT
There is a clear connection between air quality and asthma, but monitoring air pollution has been an expensive proposition — until an Israeli company’s novel, low-cost device came along to provide real-time information on air quality anywhere. AirBase Systems developed small plug-and-play CanarIT sensor units (one for indoors, one for outdoors) based on the latest nanotechnology and using patented algorithms to identify pollution patterns and to rate the threat, wirelessly transmitting graphic reports to a computer or a handheld device. CanarIT also suggests simple, smart ways to reduce exposure to air pollution, such as closing windows on particularly smoggy days.

Ozone-Based Cleaning Systems
Studies have shown that swimming in chlorinated pools may trigger asthma and other respiratory problems from chlorimines, harmful chemicals formed by chlorine coming in contact with organic substances. Israeli company Greeneng Solutions manufactures ozone-based cleaning systems for water purification in restaurants, hotels and hospitals without chlorine or ammonia. Its new product called Ozopool would largely replace chlorine as a swimming pool disinfectant.