Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Why It Matters and How to Improve It

The quality of the air we breathe has an important impact on our health and well-being. Many think air pollution only matters when we go outside, but the truth is that the air inside our homes and workplaces can be just as harmful.  Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical issue that can affect our respiratory health, allergies, and overall quality of life. 4.1% of global deaths are attributed to indoor air pollution (1). Let’s explore why IAQ matters and what you can do to improve it.

Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Matters

Most of us spend a significant amount of time indoors, whether at home, workplaces, or in other indoor public spaces such as shops, theaters, schools… This means that we are exposed to indoor air much more than time outdoors. Unfortunately, indoor air can contain a large variety of pollutants, including:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted by products like paints, cleaning supplies, and building materials.

• Particulate matter (PM), which includes diesel car residues, dust, pollen, and other small particles that can irritate the respiratory system.

• Carbon monoxide (CO), which can be produced by gas stoves and other combustion sources.

• Ozone, coming from chemical reactions from UV radiation with household products.

• Radon, a radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the ground.

• Pathogens, such as molds, allergens, bacteria or virus

Exposure to these pollutants can cause a range of health effects, including headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Long-term exposure can also lead to more serious health problems, such as chronic fatigue syndrome respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer. (3)

Sometimes these symptoms persist inadvertently, but when complaints of employees or students start to mount, they are frequently described as sick-building syndrome (2).

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to improve the air quality inside your home or workplace. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Ventilate: Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good IAQ. Make sure that your home or workplace has adequate ventilation. This works by letting the Open-Air Factor, or the natural detergent of the atmosphere get inside and help remove pollutants and bring in fresh air. However if you happen to live in a city, close to an industrial zone, or nearby agricultural emissions, this may not be a good idea.

• Use of Air Purifiers: Air purifiers can be the best tool to achieve a good IAQ. Some purifiers use HEPA filters to capture pollutants and particles from the air. However, there are new technologies that reproduce the Open-Air Factor indoors, reducing the number of harmful substances that you are exposed to. PUROH is one of these new devices that mimic a natural ventilation without letting contamination indoors or affecting your temperature of comfort. 

• Keep Clean: Regular cleaning is essential for maintaining good IAQ. Vacuum carpets and rugs regularly, wash bedding and curtains, and dust surfaces to remove pollutants and allergens. Puroh has the additional benefit when compared to standard purifiers that Open-Air Factor also acts on surfaces. 

• Choose Safe Products: Many common household products contain harmful chemicals that can contribute to poor IAQ. Look for products that are labeled “low VOC” or “no VOC,” and choose natural cleaning products whenever possible. PUROH includes an indicator that will show IAQ, through VOC and Formaldehyde detection.

Conclusion

Indoor air quality is an essential aspect of our health and well-being, and it’s up to us to take steps to improve it. By ventilating, using air purifiers, keeping clean, and choosing safe products, we can create a healthier indoor environment and reduce our exposure to harmful pollutants. By making IAQ a priority, we will enjoy better health, increased energy, and a higher quality of life.

(1)Source: IHME, Global Burden of Disease (2019)

(2)Source: Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance. “Indoor workplaces – Recommended procedure for the investigation of working environment”.

(3) Source “Household air pollution and health: fact sheet”. WHO. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-21.