The importance of looking after indoor air quality
As we were saying in our previous blog post about the WELL Certification, we spend around 90% of our lives indoors, where the air is between 2 and 5 times more polluted than the air outside. This statement, in a climate where news stories about air pollution in our cities are a constant feature, is incredibly striking, but at the same time it has a very logical explanation: the composition of indoor air is based on that of outdoor air, but with the addition of all the pollutants from indoor sources: radon, formaldehyde, VOCs, water vapour, etc. The following chart shows the most significant pollutants affecting indoor air quality and their sources within built environments.
Indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. The wellness it is the most effective solution to alleviate this problem
Source: European Commission Joint Research Centre
The problem of indoor air pollution is no small matter. Excessive concentrations of pollutants in the air can cause numerous illnesses, principally respiratory ones such as lung cancer, but also cardiovascular, digestive and neurological ones, and, according to the World Health Organization, it is the main cause of some 2 million deaths a year worldwide (classified as the tenth avoidable risk factor overall).
Indoor air pollution is the main cause of some 2 million deaths a year worldwide
Outdoor air pollution
So much for the bad news. The good one is that numerous measures can be put in place to reverse this situation. On the one hand, we must implement measures to improve outdoor air quality, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the air quality of our built spaces. We have seen local policies aimed at temporarily reducing pollution in Madrid and Barcelona, and even in other smaller cities on the Iberian Peninsula through the total or partial closure of the centre to traffic. But these types of measures, although momentarily effective, are merely a plaster over a deep wound. The solution to reducing outdoor air pollution lies in policies that establish ambitious maximum limits on the energy consumption of vehicles, buildings and industry, and that favour the implementation of clean energy generation methods. These measures undoubtedly entail an initial cost for public administrations and businesses, but even greater is the cost of the consequences we have already begun to pay for the poor air quality in our cities.
Indoor air pollution and WELL Certification
In any case, the objective of this post is none other than that of raising awareness about the importance of improving the quality of the air we breathe in our indoor spaces, and to this end we are going to focus on the measures that we can implement in our buildings which are related to our way of building and the adaptation of spaces. The WELL Building Standard (or WELL Certification), approved by the International WELL Building Institute, the most prestigious international organisation for the implementation of health and wellbeing (or wellness in built spaces, dedicates 29 of its 100 measures to ensuring optimal air quality. Below we describe some of the most important measures:
6 measures to improve indoor air quality
1. Measure air pollution levels
It is difficult to control what is not known. This is why one of the first measures to be implemented will always be the measurement of pollutant levels in indoor spaces. Among the pollutants that must be measured, formaldehyde, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), carbon monoxide, suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone and radon stand out. Temperature and humidity must also be controlled as they can encourage the appearance of pathogens such as mould, which is responsible for numerous respiratory diseases.
2. Optimise the ventilation
Indoor air renewal allows indoor-sourced pollutants to be gotten rid of through the introduction of outdoor air. Outdoor pollutants such as suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), bacteria, mould, or smoke can be avoided through the use of high-efficiency filters (EU7 or its American equivalent MERV13 and higher) in ventilation systems. Ventilation also prevents the concentration of moisture and, with it, condensation problems that cause pathogens such as mould and the deterioration of materials. However, the ventilation volume must be optimised according to the needs of each building, since a greater exchange of air also entails a higher energy demand that can be limited through the installation of heat recovery units (this is a subject that requires a post exclusive and will be addressed later). For those spaces that do not have a mechanical ventilation system in cities where outdoor air quality is an issue, it is recommended to check the outdoor air quality before opening windows, as pollution levels vary from one day to the next. In office spaces, for example, it is possible to automate windows so that a light indicates whether or not it is advisable to open them at that precise moment. The information can be taken from outdoor sensors or nearby measurement stations. Real-time information can be found on the Madrid and Barcelona city council websites.
Informational website of the real-time air quality in Madrid:
http://www.mambiente.munimadrid.es/sica/scripts/index.php
Informational website of the real-time air quality in Barcelona:
http://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/qualitataire/es/
3. Eradicate tobacco from buildings
The health problems caused by inhaling tobacco smoke are well known, both for smokers and for non-smokers who live with them in spaces where smoking is permitted. For optimum indoor air quality, tobacco must be eradicated not only inside buildings, but also near entrances. Due to the stack effect in multi-storey buildings, caused by pressure variation, air enters on the lower floors and leaves the building on the upper floors. To prevent tobacco smoke from entering, it is important that smoking is not permitted within 7.5 metres of building entrances. Furthermore, due to the relatively high degree of air infiltration between different spaces in the same building, it is important that the anti-smoking policy applies to the entire building.
4. Use healthy cleaning products
The most common cleaning products often contain chemicals that are harmful to health. The use of non-toxic, hypoallergenic cleaning products and materials helps to improve indoor air quality and reduce the appearance of pests, environmental allergens and unpleasant odours. In addition, it is advisable to establish a cleaning protocol that dictates the frequency and the way in which each surface should be cleaned. For surfaces with a high frequency of contact (doorknobs, light switches, etc.), the use of advanced cleaning methods for the elimination of bacteria, such as ultraviolet light devices, is recommended.
5. Use healthy building materials and methods
There are numerous building materials that release harmful substances into the air throughout their lifespan. These include wood-based products, which sometimes contain formaldehydes; sealants, adhesives, and paints, which often contain VOCs; or carpets and rugs, which accumulate dust that is subsequently emitted as particulate matter. These exact materials can be found in furniture and building elements. It is advisable to evaluate the composition of the materials prior to their use and to include certified products with a sustainability label (such as Green Seal or Greenguard) whenever possible. As for paints, photocatalytic paints can be used which, through a photocatalysis process, contribute to the elimination of pathogens and bad odours. In addition, the construction method can also be optimised to increase future indoor air quality by: establishing a specific material installation protocol to minimise the impregnation of porous materials with substances that could subsequently be released; sealing the air inlet and outlet points of ventilation and air conditioning systems during construction to prevent pollutants from entering them; and carrying out thorough sealing of partition walls and other compartmentalisation elements to prevent the infiltration of lower-quality air from adjacent spaces.
6. Install advanced air purification systems
Some spaces, either due to their nature requiring excellent air quality (hospitals, laboratories, etc.), or because of circumstances involving the presence of excessive pollutants (proximity to heavily trafficked roads, factories, etc.), may require the installation of advanced air purification devices. These devices can be incorporated into the ventilation system in those spaces that have a mechanical ventilation system, or placed as independent units. Among the main methods used for air purification, activated carbon and active polarisation filters, ultraviolet radiation systems, and photocatalytic oxidation systems stand out.
Take the plunge, improve the quality of the air you breathe
Currently, there are 35 buildings certified by the WELL Building Standard and more than 500 in the process of certification that have implemented measures such as those mentioned above to improve indoor air quality.
En Evalore Spaces we have developed our own method based on the WELL Certification for the implementation of all kinds of measures wellness, including those related to indoor air quality optimisation. Our method is affordable for all businesses and tailored according to the client's budget, as well as the impact and feasibility of each measure in the space in question. If you want to improve the indoor air quality you breathe and implement a series of health and wellbeing measures for your space, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will give you a free diagnosis.
Pablo Muñoz, CPHD, LEED GA, BPI MFBA
Co-founder and CEO of Espacios Evalore SLP
