How to manage indoor pollution and containment?

We spend most of our time in indoor spaces, where the air is not always of good quality. In this period of confinement, this time spent in enclosed places increases for many of us. So how do you manage indoor pollution during this confinement?

Confinement requires us to spend a lot of time indoors and, every day, our lungs filter almost 13,000 liters ofair. However, indoor pollution is one of the main causes of respiratory diseases. We must therefore redouble our attention to the air quality of our interiors while we are confined.

What are the main sources of indoor pollution?

Tobacco smoke

It is the main source of indoor pollution. It can cause Cancer and other respiratory illnesses, as well as worsen symptoms of the'asthma. Children are particularly vulnerable to second-hand tobacco smoke.

Gas from combustion

The particles that result from the combustion of indoor materials for heating or water heaters can be dangerous:

  • The Carbon monoxide (CO), without color no smell. It interferes in the use ofoxygen by the human body. It causes headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

  • Dioxide ofnitrogen (NO2), colorless and odorless. It causes irritation of eyes, of nose and throat, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infection.

Radon

It is a gas radioactive that forms in the ground, penetrating inside buildings through cracks and openings in contact with the ground. It accumulates in poorly ventilated areas. The radon is a cause of lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Pollution in radon concerns granitic or volcanic soils, we will find it in Brittany, Corsica or in the center of France.

Volatile organic compounds

Also called VOC, these are chemicals found in paints, lacquers, cleaning products, varnish, waxes, pesticides, mites, wood pressed, the materials of construction and furniture, and in dry-washed clothes …

The VOC evaporate into air at room temperature when used or even when stored.

Microorganisms

In high humidity or overcrowded environments, microorganisms have a greater ability to develop. These are molds that can be invisible to the naked eye. These microorganisms, when inhaled, can cause allergies, rhinitis or asthmaor even respiratory diseases such as pneumonia where the tuberculosis.

How to avoid indoor pollution?

Here are the general precautions to take to escape pollutants in your interiors:

  • To smoke systematically outside

  • Maintain an approximate temperature of 20 degrees

  • Aerate several times a day, this ensures a ventilation adequate, as well as a decrease in the concentration of pollutants

  • Maintain a relative humidity between 40 and 50%

  • Maintain combustion equipment regularly by professionals to verify that they ventilate well to the outside

We can also anticipate problems when purchasing and storing equipment in your interiors:

  • When purchasing and using materials such as paints, varnishes, pressed wood, etc., choose those with low broadcasts of VOCs.

  • Never mix different cleaning products unless the manufacturer tells you to.

  • Ensure adequate storage of cleaning products in permanently ventilated areas.

  • Keep the products out of reach of children.

This will also interest you

Containment, good for air quality In early 2020, the world experienced an unprecedented crisis. The coronavirus responsible for a deadly Covid-19 pandemic is spreading. In the hope of limiting its spread, populations are confined. The savings put on hold. With the collateral effect, a dramatic drop in outdoor air pollution.

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