The French spend 80% of their time in enclosed spaces (housing, workplaces, transport, etc.).
Indoor pollution, which includes dust mites, mold and volatile organic compounds, strongly affects them, with an alarming finding: indoor air is 5 to 9 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the Observatory of the quality of indoor environments (OQEL). It is responsible for more than 20,000 premature deaths each year in France.
The French Respiratory Health association highlights through this “Health and Housing” survey the lack of knowledge of those mainly concerned about indoor pollution. We might expect that these people, suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, would have a better perception of risks, being more aware of the danger. This is not the case.
More than 70% think that indoor air is no more polluted than outside
According to the survey, 97% of respondents believe that indoor air quality can affect health, and 86% say they are concerned about this subject, including 50% “very concerned”.
However, 71% feel safe at home, believing that indoor air is no more polluted than outdoor air. It is, in reality, the opposite.
As for humidity, 82% consider it to be an indoor air pollutant. However, 40% of respondents have difficulty identifying pollutants as a whole. And 41% do not know effective solutions to protect themselves from this type of pollution.
According to official figures from INSEE, 20.6% of homes in France show visible signs of humidity.
40% of participants say they have little or no information about indoor air pollution. Thus, 67% wish to receive reliable information from health professionals and 57% via official sites (State, learned societies, etc.).
Call on the CEIs!
95% of people with respiratory illnesses and their caregivers have never had an air quality diagnosis carried out in their home, although 43% indicated having already lived in a home showing signs of humidity ( mold, condensation or saltpeter).
In addition, 41% of respondents mention at least one bad recommendation to combat humidity, such as “purchasing purifying plants” or “small electrical devices such as air purifiers with special filters.” None of the on-board technologies guarantee good performance, specifies the Environment and Energy Management Agency.
Indoor pollution can harm respiratory health in general, and more specifically exacerbate diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indoor environment advisors (CEI), who notably have a diploma in “Respiratory health and habitat”, are a key element in the prevention of respiratory pathologies.
At the request of a doctor, they come to your home to assess the nature and level of indoor pollution. Because patients often struggle to identify the presence of mold or other allergens and toxic substances in their home. The indoor environment advisor is capable of detecting indoor pollution responsible for respiratory problems, whether of allergic origin or not.
This includes irritants caused by volatile organic compounds emitted by interior paints and perfumes, as well as mold.
On a daily basis, to limit indoor pollution, open the windows for around fifteen minutes each day, including in winter, or have controlled mechanical ventilation (VMC) installed to ventilate the living rooms, starting with the bathroom. .
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