What are the sources of pollution?
Indoor air pollution can come from multiple sources:
- Construction materials and furniture
- Human activities (cooking, cleaning, DIY)
- The occupants themselves (water vapor, CO2)
- Outdoor pollution that penetrates indoors
- Mold and other microorganisms
What are the health impacts?
Poor indoor air quality can lead to various health effects:
- Headaches, fatigue, irritations
- Allergies and respiratory problems
- Decreased concentration and alertness at work
In the long term, chronic exposure to certain pollutants can have more serious consequences.
How to measure it properly?
It is recommended to place sensors in the center of rooms, about 1m from walls and between 0.80 and 1.20m from the floor.
What are the solutions for improvement?
- Effective ventilation (at least 50 m3/h of fresh air per occupant in offices)
- Choice of low-emitting materials
- Elimination of moisture sources
- Filtration of incoming air if the outdoor environment is polluted
- Regular maintenance of ventilation systems
Daily natural ventilation remains a simple and effective solution for renewing indoor air.
NB: Read this article regarding indoor air quality measurement thresholds (LED notifications of the Weather Station)
Updated