Saint-Gobain Weber has compiled its top tips for maintaining good indoor air quality in homes, offices and inside spaces, which it believes is an overlooked issue, as we spend roughly 90% of our time indoors, breathing air which could be more polluted than outside air and possibly full of harmful chemicals, pollutants and allergens.
A regular cleaning schedule is an obvious and effective action to improve air quality. Dusting regularly is important, given allergens and other nasties can accumulate in household dust.
Vacuuming not only floors, but furniture, skirting boards, and anywhere else that can accumulate dust is crucial. Keep on top of mopping floors and make sure bedding is regularly washed.
Many products emit harmful chemicals – check carefully before you buy and opt for fragrance-free or naturally scented products.
Steer clear of harshly scented candles or reed diffusers and avoid aerosols if possible. Perhaps switch to milder, more natural cleaning products, which will get the job done without all the nasty chemicals.
A healthy humidity level for indoor spaces is between 30% and 50%. Air too humid creates ideal conditions for dust mites and mould. Bathrooms, basements and bedrooms particularly need proper ventilation, so a dehumidifier can be used if necessary. Doors and windows can be opened to keep air circulating.
Homes, office and public spaces should all be no-smoking zones. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals.
Smoking can cause cancer, heart attacks and strokes, while breathing second-hand smoke is linked to asthma and cancer. Homes should be made a smoke-free space, with smokers asked to go outside.
Improving ventilation is a simple way to improve indoor air quality. Increase the amount of clean outdoor air inside by opening windows or doors and running fans.
Extractor fans can remove contaminants directly from rooms. Ventilation is particularly important for all activities that involve pollutants, such as painting, paint stripping, cooking, welding, soldering, or sanding.
Bring nature inside – plants can make spaces healthier and more beautiful. To some extent, household plants can help eliminate toxic agents from indoor air and absorb chemicals with their leaves and roots.
However, their removal rate is small, so do not expect potted plants to act as full-scale air filters for a home or office!
Weber cares about people and their environment, which is why it has introduced low-dust technology into its tile fixing products.
Saint-Gobain Weber
Dickens House, Enterprise Way
Maulden Road
Flitwick
Bedford
MK45 5BY
UK
Visit Saint-Gobain Weber's website
Mitsubishi Electric will host a CIBSE Journal webinar on Wednesday 24th April 2024 at 1pm to discuss the legislation and initiatives driving changes in the way we will need to heat, cool and ventilate large commercial buildings to reach net zero emissions in the UK.
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