Over the past two years, much has been said and written about a healthy indoor environment. It is important to know that this is not only crucial in times of a pandemic. It is an everyday issue. You don’t want a home that makes you sick. At Filter&Co, we can help you with that.
Indoor air pollution
An unhealthy indoor climate? You often have it without knowing it. The causes lie in products and substances you use daily. Indoor air pollution occurs when a combination of these substances and products reaches a high percentage. Let’s have a look at those substances.
1. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are volatile or rapidly evaporating products such as paints and detergents. However, they can also be found in building materials and even furniture or decorative items. Think of carpets and sofas. They are everywhere – both indoors and outdoors. But it goes without saying that their percentage is higher in a home or classroom than in an outdoor environment.
2. Fine dust
This form of air pollution consists of very small particles that are sometimes visible and sometimes not. Heating systems, for example, emit fine dust.
3. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
CO2 is often called “the silent death” in winter. This is because you can’t see it or smell it, but too high a percentage in a room can be lethal. A standard level of 400 ppm (parts per million) is OK. Anything above that can cause health problems. For example, if you reach 1,000 ppm in a room, you may suffer from headaches and drowsiness.
The consequences for your health
You could already read it: indoor air pollution can be harmful to your health. The extent to which you experience symptoms depends on certain factors.
- The nature of the product
- The amount of VOCs or other substances absorbed by your body
- The duration of exposure
Some of the health complaints you may experience include:
- Irritation of the respiratory tract, eyes, and mucous membranes
- Respiratory problems
- Heart problems
How do you prevent an unhealthy indoor climate?
Fortunately, you can prevent these complaints. We list the most important measures for you.
1. Air your home thoroughly. Especially during construction or renovation work.
2. Limit the use of indoor perfumes and scent fresheners. They do indeed smell delicious but contain numerous VOCs.
3. Do not keep solvent-based products (such as paints) in living spaces.
4. Install the right ventilation system in your home. This will prevent moisture build-up that can lead to mould and reduce gas and particle concentrations in your home. Important here is that the system is maintained correctly and, above all, frequently. Think, for instance, of replacing the filters on time. And with the latter, we at Filter&Co are happy to help you, together with our partners.