Air pollution is increasingly present in our daily lives. Most of the time, it is caused by human activity. Its repercussions on our health are not negligible, but fortunately we have become aware of it and we can now take action to fight against its harmful effects and breathe clean air at home.
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How to fight indoor air pollution?
Breathing healthy air at home is a vital need that is still largely underestimated in France. Our homes are, on average, 5 to 10 times more polluted than the air outside. In order to combat this plague, it is recommended to improve the air circulation in your home, but also to clean up your indoor air. These actions will allow you to breathe healthy air and protect your health and that of your family.
Improving air circulation
To combat indoor air pollution, it is recommended that you air your home or office for at least 30 minutes a day, winter and summer alike. This air renewal is essential, as it allows the evacuation of humidity and pollutants generated when you take a shower, cook food or carry out domestic work (dust, painting, etc.).
It is also advisable to maintain your combustion appliances and clean the air vents at least once a year. In addition, use natural materials in your home rather than chipboard and use low-VOC paints to reduce formaldehyde levels in the atmosphere.
Finally, the installation of controlled mechanical ventilation is essential if you want to prevent moisture-related problems. Whether it is single or double flow, self-regulating or hygrovariable, the choice of your VMC will have a determining impact on the quality of the air in your home.
Purifying indoor air
How to improve the humidity level?
Good air quality is essential if you want to feel comfortable in your home. Although it is often overlooked, humidity is a determining factor in the quality of the air we breathe. Whether it is too high or too low, poorly regulated humidity can quickly become a source of problems for your comfort and health. To help you control it better, we advise you to equip yourself with either a dehumidifier or a humidifier, depending on your needs.
Reducing high humidity
Excessive humidity encourages the growth of mould, which poses a threat to human health and the structural integrity of the building. The most common dehumidifiers are devices that use a small fan to draw moist air onto a refrigerated coil. As the cooling of the air lowers the saturation vapour pressure of the water it contains, the water then condenses into liquid form and is collected for disposal. The drier air is then returned to the room.
The dehumidifiers have a wide range of applications to reduce humidityWhether it is to extend the life of equipment and increase productivity, to solve recurring moisture problems in buildings or, more rarely, to deal with unexpected situations such as flooding or major water leaks.
Choosing the right appliance is not easy, as a number of parameters have to be taken into account, such as temperature, water saturation in the air, room size, etc. That's why we have selected a list of the best dehumidifiers according to their location to make your choice easier.
Increasing humidity in the presence of dry air
Refreshing the air and making it more breathable
Summer is a warm and pleasant season, but it can also be hot and stifling.
In order to breathe better, it is sometimes useful to use an air mister. These devices are a very practical solution to refresh the atmosphere and make it more breathable.
Easy to carry, they diffuse a fine water mist that evaporates quickly into the air. The water mist mixes with the surrounding atmosphere, reducing the air temperature and making it cooler.
The benefits for babies and parents are many: it provides a welcome respite from the sweltering heat and allows your baby to enjoy a cooler environment for a moment.
In addition, the misters have no chemical ingredients, making them safe and non-allergenic. Parents can therefore rest and enjoy a moment of relaxation knowing that their little one can be quickly relieved of the heat if necessary.
Where does indoor air pollution come from?
We spend most of our time enclosed in closed spaces. Whether in the office, at school, at home or on transport, the quality of the air we breathe is not always as good as we think. More often than not, indoor air pollution is generated by our domestic activities. To help you stay healthy, we have identified the main sources of air pollution in your home:
- High temperature and excessive humidity, which causes mould and is an ideal environment for the development of dust mites.
- Inadequate ventilation that does not allow for proper renewal of stale air.
- Fabrics, carpets and rugs: real dust nests, even if you clean them regularly.
- The presence in your home of furniture that emits volatile organic compounds. Most of this furniture is made from pressed wood. The glue, resin and paint components are a major source of indoor air pollution. This is mainly due to the breakdown of the chemicals from the components.
- The use of sprays and perfumes, which release chemicals into the air that are more or less toxic to you and your loved ones.
- Moisture build-up: if not ventilated, moisture and condensation in a room can lead to the formation of micromycetes on your floors, walls and ceilings. In addition to the allergic reactions they cause, mould spores tend to spread rapidly through your home and degrade the air quality as well as the property in your home.