We spend close to 90% of our lives indoors and indoor air can be up to 50 times more polluted than outdoor air (EU, 2003).
Indoor air quality refers to the aerosol and gas content, temperature, and humidity of the air inside a structure such as an office, home or other workplace. Indoor air is highly complex and contains a mixture of microorganisms, allergens, toxins, gases and particulates. Other factors such as indoor temperatures, relative humidity, and ventilation levels can also affect how individuals respond to the indoor environment.
Poor indoor air quality can occur for many reasons including; improper or inadequately maintained heating and ventilation systems, ccontamination by glues, paints, chemicals etc., an increase in number of building occupants and time spent indoors.
People who are exposed to poor indoor air for long periods of time display symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, headache, fatigue, hypersensitivity and allergies.
Indoor air quality in the workplace is the subject of much attention these days due to the fact that the air quality within a building can profoundly affect the health and productivity of workers.
- Assessment of dusts and gases in the indoor environment
- Assessment of moulds and bacteria in the indoor air
- Thermal environment survey
- General indoor air quality – CO, CO2, relative humidity, temperature.
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