Improved indoor air quality

Where does indoor pollution come from?

• Primary pollutants : 

  • Physico-chemical pollutants: gases, vapor and particulate matter (CO2, VOCs, ...)

  • Biological pollutants: particles floating in the air, originating from viruses, bacteria, insects, .... 

• Secondary pollutants:

  • Substances (particles and/or gases) emitted by products during their in-use phase

What are the health impacts?

• Bad indoor air quality affects health through pollutant levels (dust, VOCs, ...) and air conditions (CO2, humidity)

• Increased risk of health impacts if the occupants are vulnerable, with a particularly high impact on the elderly

• Potential impacts of indoor pollutants: short-term (dizziness, headaches, dermatitis) or long-term (lung, kidney, liver diseases)

• Potential impacts of bad air conditions: headache, fatigue, cough, dizziness

• Importance of ventilation: helps diluting pollutants generated by occupants or products and improving air conditions. Efficient ventilation also limits the spread of viruses and bacteria. 

How to improve indoor air quality?

• Remove emissions of primary and secondary pollutants at source: pay attention to the ingredients of materials, chose healthier alternatives when possible

• Implement a ventilation strategy to control air changes, CO2 and humidity

• Conduct risk assessments for radon and moult

• Monitor in-situ the ventilation system performance and pollutant levels

• Conduct occupant survey of indoor conditions

• Maintain humidity levels between 30-60%

How do we act?

• Insulation, dry lining, membranes and high-performance windows and doors for superior air tightness

• Products to purify indoor air by scavenging certain VOCs such as formaldehyde

• High-performance windows, doors, technical insulation, contributing to the performance of ventilation systems

• Low-emissive products certified with labels (UL, Greenguard, A+, ...)