Improve indoor air quality

Improve indoor air quality

  • Whilst the air we breathe contains important substances such as oxygen and nitrogen, air may also containpollutants.These come in the form of gases or particles and can occur naturally or come from man-made sources.
  • Breathing in only small amounts of air pollutants can have adetrimentaleffect on our health if they are continually entering the body over a long period of time.
  • Air pollutants in the home are unavoidable but we canminimiseour exposureby taking some simple measures including goodhome hygiene, andadequate ventilation.

Despite Australia’s love affair with the great outdoors,it is estimated that Australian’sspendabout 90% of theirtime indoors (1). Be that at work, schoolor at home – it’s a significant percentage.Given this statistic, are we paying enough attention to the quality of the air we are breathing when indoors? 

Indoor air and pollutants

Air is an invisible mixture ofgases,it contains important substances such as oxygen and nitrogen that we need to survive. Air may also containpollutants,these come in the form of gases or particles and can occur naturally or come from man-made sources. Generally, pollutants enter the body through breathing, swallowing and absorbing. Breathing in only small amounts of air pollutants can have adetrimentaleffect on our health if they are continually entering the body over a long period of time (2). Here are some of the most common indoor air pollutants

Biological Pollutants

Biological contaminants include bacteria, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust, mites, cockroaches, and pollen. There are many sources of these pollutants.  

Combustion pollutants

These include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide.Combustion pollutants can get inside your home from fireplaces and heaters burning wood, gas cooking appliances,outdoor air,andexhaust from cars in garages.Combustion products from different sources can add together and build up in poorly ventilated rooms to levels that could affect your health.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)  

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals (containing carbon) that evaporate into the atmosphere at room temperature. They often have anodour,and are present in a wide range of products used around the homeand office.These include paints and solvents, aerosols, cleaners and disinfectants, air fresheners, automotive products, building materials, new furnishings, office equipment such as printers and copiers, glues and adhesives.Long term effects of exposure to VOCs are still being fully understood but common immediate symptoms include eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches and dizziness.Studies have found that levels of VOCs average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors (3) and levels in poorly ventilated rooms increase with increasing temperature (4).

How tominimiseexposure to indoor air pollutants and improve indoor air quality 

Air pollutants in the home are unavoidable but we canminimiseour exposureby taking some simple measures.   

  • Goodhome hygiene andreducinghumidity levels in the home will helpminimisethe growth of biological pollutants. Adequate ventilation and good air distributionwill also help.Expella’srange ofall-in-one ventilationkitsandhumidity sensorshelp keep humidity under control.  
  • Ensure rooms that are heatedor contain gas appliances (e.gkitchens)have adequate ventilation,ventappliances and fireplacesto the outdoors (via a flue, chimney, exhaust fan or rangehood) where possible.
  • Keeping indoor areas well ventilated and preventing them from getting too hot will help to reduce the effects of exposure to VOCs and will limit the need to useproducts that contain VOCs such asaerosols and air fresheners.

Other indoor air quality issues and how to solve them 

Temperature 

According to Passive House Institute, the ideal indoor air temperature for optimal comfort and wellbeing is 21 degreescelsius. When it is too cold or hot inside our sleep can be affected. High indoor temperatures can also reduce our productivity and cause drowsiness, while low temperatures cansuppressour immune systems and contribute to the spread of airborne microbes such as those that cause the common cold.Expellaoffers ventilation solutions that can assist with maintaining steady indoor temperatures. These includeExpella’srange of Heat Recovery Units thathelp maintain a stable indoor air temperature with minimal energy consumption. 

Humidity 

It’s important to strike the right balance of humidity indoors, if humidity is low and the air is too dry your nose, eyes and throat can become irritated; if humidity levels are too high it can lead to the growth of mould and dust mites (both thrive in damp, warm environments) which may trigger allergies and affect our respiratory health.

A relative humidity of 30-50% is generally recommended for homes (5). Quality ventilation products have been proven to assist in keeping humidity levels under control. Products such asExpella’sCeiling Mounted Humidity Sensorprovide a simple automated solution to maintain the desired indoor humidity level.

 

References

  1. https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/air-quality/indoor-air
  2. page 9, A guide to indoor air quality in the home for buyers, builders and renovators
  3. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
  4. Page 16 http://www.glenelg.vic.gov.au/files/A%20Guide%20to%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality.pdf
  5. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/biological-pollutants-impact-indoor-air-quality

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