We spend more time indoors (i.e. in offices, at home, etc.) than outdoors. What's more, because of breathing and the release of CO2 into the ambient environment, because of dust and the presence of particles in the air, it's proven that indoor air is 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Various methods and techniques are used to combat poor indoor air quality and purify it. How to purify indoor air?
Why is the air in a room often polluted?
It's important to know that there's no such thing as completely pure air. It is possible to find it, but usually in a laboratory. The air we breathe always contains pollutants. The concentration of pollutants varies greatly from one area to another, depending on a number of factors. There are thresholds for the concentration of pollutants in the air, and when these are exceeded, measures are taken to clean up the air.
More often than not, the air is more polluted indoors than outdoors, for a number of reasons. For example, some people use candles, incense, air fresheners and perfumes that release odors containing chemical particles that produce pollution that can be harmful. In the home, the paints, cleaning products and detergents used produce dust vapors containing pollutants and particles that are harmful to health.
What's more, people coming from outside carry all sorts of bacteria, pollen and dust mites into their homes. Breathing inside a room accelerates pollution, especially when it is not ventilated. The release and concentration of carbon dioxide accelerates the pollution of the surrounding environment.
Measuring air quality at home
Indoor air pollution is a real problem that many people face every day. Measuring air quality is therefore a must if you want to know what precautions to take to clean up your indoor air. In reality, it's difficult to determine the level of pollution, which is why air quality is measured. There are kits available on the market that you can buy to carry out these tests at home. These kits measure the presence of formaldehyde in the room. Some kits can also determine the concentration of other harmful particles in the ambient air.
It's also important to measure the presence of CO2 in a room. Carbon dioxide can be dangerous and even fatal to human health. An exposure of 3% over a quarter of an hour can result in death. There are certain levels to be respected in terms of the presence of CO2 in a room. Between 0 and 599 pm, the CO2 concentration is correct; between 600 and 1199 pm, the concentration is average. Above this threshold, action must be taken. There are CO2 concentration meters on the market, which display the level of carbon dioxide concentration in a room.
How do you purify the air in a room?
The first thing to do is toair the room. If you live in an area with a lot of pollution, letting outside air into your home won't help. Next, clean your kitchen and bathroom often. These are rooms that frequently record high levels of pollutants and micro-organisms.
Using white vinegar, baking soda and bleach, clean every room in your home and clean the air inside. Air change rates must be respected in all rooms. This is the number of times a room's air must be changed per hour to ensure good air quality. This information is specified in ventilation system design regulations and standards.
Another natural method is to use depolluting plants to purify the air in your home. These includealoe vera, azalea, lavender and many others. Diffusingnatural essential oils is also an excellent way to purify the air inside your home.
Another effective way to purify the air in a room is touse air purifiers. These are devices designed to purify the air in a room. In fact, these devices draw in ambient air, treat it, rid it of all impurities, and then release healthy airback into the surrounding environment. There are several types of purifier, depending on the technology used. Conventional models use filters to trap and get rid of airborne particles and VOCs. Purifiers with HEPA filters are recommended because they are the most efficient. They remove 90% to 99% of chemical residues and micro-organisms from the air. Other purifiers use technologies such as plasma , ultraviolet rayscomplete combustion, adsorption and others are used to purify indoor air.
