In our home, at work, in transport, at school… We spend more than 80% of our time in closed places. However, the air we breathe there is five to ten times more polluted than outside air, according to Vincent Peynet, director of the Institute for Research and Scientific Expertise (a private study office) and teacher at the University of Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin).
Because within buildings, the potential sources of pollution are more numerous and more concentrated: combustion appliances, construction materials, decoration products (paint, glues, varnishes, candles, etc.), carpets and furniture, human activity (smoking, products maintenance, DIY, cooking …), presence of domestic animals …
What is the impact on health?
Some chemicals and volatile organic compounds are highly emissive and irritating. The good quality of the air inside a building has a demonstrated effect on the quality of concentration, the rate of absenteeism in schools, well-being, observes the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Conversely, poor air quality can promote the emergence of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin, dizziness, or still respiratory allergies and asthma.
In order to better understand and monitor the pollutants present in indoor air, an Indoor Air Quality Observatory was created by the public authorities in 2001. In 2013, the Ministries of the Environment and of Health launched a dedicated action plan. Perchlorethylene has thus been banned from dry cleaning, and air quality better controlled in certain establishments open to the public, including schools and nurseries, with pollutant measurement campaigns or self-assessments to be carried out using a guide.
What to do at home?
Actions can be implemented, in particular with the help of sites such as unbonairchezmoi.developpement-durable.gouv.fr The priority, even in cold weather: ventilate your home for at least 10 minutes every day, even with a ventilation system (essential in the event of occasional pollution: activities generating humidity, cooking activities, DIY work, painting, etc.) to provide fresh air, especially when cleaning. But also to avoid the overdose of cleaning products, store them in ventilated places and far from heat sources.
Also choose carefully what you buy for your interior. Since 2013, construction and decoration products (paints, varnishes, carpets and wallpapers) have been subject to mandatory labeling: they are classified from A + to C according to their level of emission of volatile pollutants.
Since 2019, combustion deodorant products (incense, candles, perfume burners) – which emit volatile pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde or particles – must also include user safety information. Often mentioned, the labeling of furniture is still not mandatory.
Labels to navigate better
To help you, you can also watch the label “Controlled indoor air”
. Launched by a Belgian company two years ago, it is not institutional, but provides information on the risk of toxicity by inhalation in indoor air presented by around a hundred products.
The analyzes, carried out in France by the independent laboratory Cofrac, can detect more than 40,000 substances and meet 119 international standards
, assures Sammy Laamari, co-founder of this label. Rainett, Sanytol, Ajax or even Apta …
Several brands of household products, deodorants, laundry care, dishwashing liquids, building materials, candles or strippers and floor renovators have played the game. Good students are classified A +, less good – or those containing a probable carcinogen – go to C.
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