Indoor air quality in homes in question

It is therefore essential that operators take care of this air, just as manufacturers pay (and must pay) increasing attention to the food and water we ingest.

What are the sources of pollutants in homes?

Benzene, trichloroethylene, PM, ETS, radon, CO: this is the list of six major pollutants, recognized as carcinogenic, which cause more than 6 deaths per year in France. It is imperative that construction and housing maintenance professionals limit the presence of these pollutants. Ventilation, and more generally, air renewal, are necessary, but essentially curative, responses. The causes of this pollution must be addressed.

These are multiple, the concentration rate of pollutants in housing originates from: furnishings (materials, paints, varnishes, etc.), cleaning products, cooking and tobacco fumes not evacuated, housing construction materials, carpets or even tapestries, etc. Thus, the entire system of construction and layout of housing must be rethought to improve IAQ.

Furthermore, our daily habits also need to be reexamined. These include candles and incense, as well as chemically treated fruits and plants, which are omnipresent in living spaces.

Who is affected by poor air quality?

We are all affected and, above all, vulnerable to poor air quality. Beyond homes, all indoor spaces are polluted, from offices to schools to gyms. This is especially true given that in recent years, the distribution of time spent between different locations has changed significantly with the advent of teleworking and the rise of indoor sports.

Furthermore, an even more perverse form of pollution, CO2, is underestimated. In France, there is an Occupational Exposure Limit established by the INRS (National Institute for Research and Safety) set at 5.000 ppm. But at 1.000 ppm, air quality is considered poor, and can even cause numbness. This aspect should not be underestimated by professionals or occupants.

This observation applies to any type of property, new or renovated, collective or individual, although renovated collective properties are, by definition, the most affected by poor indoor air quality.

What are the consequences of poor indoor air quality?

The consequences are known and established by ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health and Safety). These can include chronic fatigue, headaches, and eye, nose, and skin irritation. These are ailments often attributed to screens, but can also be caused by indoor air quality.

In the most extreme cases, they can go beyond simple inconveniences to develop into potential poisoning, respiratory pathologies, disruption of the hormonal system or even impacts on the reproductive system.

What are the solutions to improve air quality?

First, it is important to remember that the solution is as important as its upkeep and maintenance.

As it stands, there are several solutions to improve air quality. To ensure constant air renewal, it is advisable to favor continuous, permanent, and controlled ventilation systems, which also reduce the sensation of drafts thanks to low pressures. Two other aspects must be considered: acoustics and the energy consumption of the ventilation system. Acoustics guarantees additional comfort that installers and property managers must take into account in their renovation or design plans. The second is part of an approach to reducing housing consumption, in direct line with the Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE).

These ventilation systems will always require monitoring. This is where the problem lies in France: maintenance operations are rare and often carried out as a corrective measure when the system is broken. The need to revalue and integrate maintenance into the management of good air quality is essential.

Tribune by Julien Bodin, co-manager of MVN (LinkedIn).