Most people think of pollution as smog outdoors when pollution levels are high and know that outdoor pollution can be harmful to health. But few people realize that indoor air pollution can also affect them.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, indoor concentrations of pollutants can be 2 to 5 times and sometimes more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. And the EPA also found that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. So the air inside is very important for our health.
Poor indoor air quality is linked to lung diseases - such as asthma and allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer - and affects other parts of the body. People who already have lung disease are more likely to be affected by indoor air pollution and those with severe illness are likely to stay indoors much longer.
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
The term Indoor Air Quality IAQ refers to the air quality in the home, school, office, or building environment.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a term that refers to the air quality in and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of occupants inside.
Where does indoor air pollution come from?
The items inside the house let out air and external agents.
Sources of Indoor Combustion: Tobacco smoke, firewood, coal, and cooking appliances and fireplaces release harmful by-products during combustion.
Outdoor air pollutants enter the building through doors and ventilation systems.
Insufficient air exchange rate - Ventilation. There are many ways for air to enter a building from outside
Ingress - air enters through cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and through windows and doors.
Natural ventilation - air comes in when we open a door or window to let the air in.
Mechanical ventilation - ventilation provided by an outdoor exhaust fan or air conditioning system
To reduce energy use, buildings are built more tightly to prevent uncontrolled ventilation. So the outside air cannot enter easily and dilute or release pollutants. Ventilation flow in a building is very important when thinking about indoor pollution and its effects.
Indoor pollution has an impact on the lungs
Irritant effects, such as dry throat and cough, are felt shortly after exposure to indoor air pollution (days or weeks). Longer-term effects, such as causing cancer, may appear after several years.
Some people are more susceptible to the effects of indoor pollutants than others. For example, children are more sensitive (more susceptible to illness) to tobacco smoke than others, while women are more prone to dry throat and eyes. Furthermore, patients allergic to termites found in house dust and/or pets are worse off when exposed to them inside the home.
See more about the effects of certain indoor pollutants on the lungs.
Integrated solutions to control and improve indoor air quality
Smoking is not allowed in the house.
Make sure your home is well-ventilated. Open your home's ventilation door for 5-10 minutes several times a day, especially during and after cooking, and after bathing.
Maintain gas equipment.
In the case of coal, wood, or open fire, make sure the chimney is cleaned and inspected thoroughly. Burn only dry wood and do not impregnate with chemicals. Do not burn garbage or packaging as it may lead to the formation of harmful substances.
It prevents water leaks and reduces mold levels.
If you live in a high radon area (build a house on granite, like Sweden and in the west of the UK), get advice on radon testing
Use low-emission building materials and furniture. Look for products and materials that carry the European “Ecolabel” label (Europa.ea.int/ecolabel) or any other approved label that says the products are good for the environment and cause less pollution. and emissions.
Set alarms for smoke and carbon monoxide.
Be careful when using chemicals in households, such as detergents, cleaning agents, air fresheners, etc., that are released into the air. Always ventilate well after use.
Equipped with a dedicated air filtration system for homes, office buildings, production facilities, etc. as a proactive solution to bring cleaner air to you.