Indoor air: attention to pollutants

The dwellings contain concentrations of various pollutants that can have health consequences, whereas the average time spent in them is 16 hours a day.

How to improve indoor air quality?

Promoting the natural circulation of air

Good ventilation of the habitat provides fresh air, removes odors and pollutants, removes moisture (mold is harmful to health) and provides combustion appliances with the oxygen they need. This requires:

• Ventilate daily for 10 minutes in the morning and evening, and longer during cleaning or do-it-yourself work;
• Never block an air intake or exhaust vent and clean them regularly;
• Ensure there is always approximately 2 cm of space under the interior doors to allow air to circulate.

Avoiding smoking in the house

Tobacco is the main source of pollution in the home and promotes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in smokers and those around them.

Use extra heaters with caution

• Do not use continuous oil or gas backup heaters to heat a chamber or for a poorly ventilated room;
• Use quality fuel for wood-burning appliances (never recovered wood, often treated or painted);
• Regularly sweep the smoke ducts.

Opt for the least harmful products for maintenance

• Promote environmental logos to limit the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and pollutants (e.g. the European Ecolabel);
• Never mix the products;
• Avoid the use of disinfectants;
• Prefer steam cleaning;
• Avoid spraying products;
• Store products in a ventilated room.

Avoiding the use of odorous products

Chemical deodorizers, incense, scented candles, products containing natural substances (e.g. essential oils) also emit pollutants. To get rid of bad smells, it is preferable to ventilate the rooms.