With the UK population spending on average around 80-90% of their time inside buildings, and up to 60% of their time in their homes, buildings are important modifiers of population health. Poor indoor air quality may cause or aggravate odour and irritation, allergic and asthma symptoms, airborne respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. In addition, the effects of indoor air pollution exposure on school performance, office productivity, comfort and well-being of occupants has become an emerging focus of research, and statutory guidance has recently been published (eg DfE, 2018). Overall exposure levels inside buildings are likely due to pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources, although some attenuation by buildings occurs. There is a plethora of pollutants found indoors, including gaseous pollutants (inorganic chemicals, radon, volatile organic compounds, VOCs), biological pollutants (allergens, viruses and bacteria, mould) and particulate matter.
Radon gas in linked to poor indoor air quality and contributes towards the approximate 44,000 deaths caused each year by poor indoor air quality in the UK alone. Testing your home and workplace is becoming more and more important and it couldn’t be easier.
We stock Airthings digital monitors that monitor not only radon, but the Wave Plus also monitors five other indoor air factors; radon, carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne chemicals (VOCs), humidity, temperature and air pressure.
We are also in a great position to help commercial clients test their workspaces for indoor air quality. We are working closely with our valued suppliers to enable us to offer a wide range of air quality monitors.
What if you have poor indoor air quality? If you have a monitor in your home or workplace and you have poor indoor air quality, we can help. We will soon be adding products to our shop for DIY air quality improvement. Also we are able to carry out a remedial survey across the UK and install suitable systems to improve indoor air quality in homes and workplaces. Please contact us for more information.
