Whether due to chemical, physical or biological agents, indoor pollution can put people’s health at risk. In order to keep air quality under control, alternative solutions such as controlled mechanical ventilation are becoming more necessary than ever.
PollutantsTobacco smoke, nitrogen oxide and dioxide, carbon monoxide, pet dander, mites, moulds, chemical, physical and biological agents.
Chemical AgentsInorganic gases, second-hand smoke, combustion processes for cooking food and for heating, building and furnishing materials, cleaning and maintenance products, work tools, and DIY products.
Biological AgentsMicroorganisms (fungi, viruses, bacteria), indoor allergens (dust mites, moulds), pollen.
Physical AgentsElectromagnetic fields (EMF), noise.
SolutionControlled mechanical ventilation ensures a constant exchange of air and reduces the concentration of pollutants.

 

From environmental tobacco smoke to nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide as well as carbon monoxide, pet dander, mites and moulds. The air we breathe every day at home, in the office or in other indoor settings is full of pollutants. 

This is why adequate air renewal is absolutely essential, also considering the fact that most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. Not surprisingly, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health) has defined both outdoor and indoor air pollution as ‘the leading risk factor for public health’.

The main substances that can affect indoor air quality are generally classified into chemical, physical and biological agents. They can originate not only from external sources, such as outdoor air pollution or pollen, but also from internal sources. These naturally also include the people who live in a certain environment (humans and animals), dust, which is a perfect breeding ground for the spread of microorganisms, building materials, furnishings and systems.

Chemical agents can pollute indoor air

Chemical agents in the form of inorganic gases are frequently found in domestic settings. 

For instance, second-hand smoking contributes to indoor pollution: in fact, tobacco combustion produces an accumulation of more than 4,000 chemical substances, which are highly toxic and even carcinogenic. 

Another example are the combustion processes involved in cooking food and heating, which lead to higher concentrations of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NO and NO2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). 

A considerable amount of pollutants can also be released by building and furnishing materials, and by cleaning and maintenance products. This may also apply to certain work tools such as printers, photocopying machines and DIY products such as glues.

Biological agents affecting home air quality

Biohazards are associated with the presence in the air of microorganisms such as fungi, viruses and bacteria, as well as indoor allergens such as dust mites and moulds. 

The former can potentially transmit a number of infectious diseases such as influenza, chickenpox, measles, pneumonia and legionellosis. The latter, instead, include mites, pet dander, cockroaches and fungi. 

Certain species of fungi, such as Alternaria alternata, can also cause mould to grow on decaying fruit and vegetables as well as in very humid environments, leading to allergic reactions such as asthma, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and dermatitis. And then there is pollen, an allergen typically found outdoors, which can enter indoor spaces, especially in the spring months when pollinosis is very common.

Physical agents influencing indoor air quality

Physical agents such as electromagnetic fields (EMF) and noise can also affect indoor air quality. Electromagnetic fields can be produced by radio, TV and mobile phone systems, systems for transporting and transforming electric energy, industrial processing plants and, more generally, any device that needs to be powered by electricity, as is the case with household appliances. On the other hand, noise includes a wide range of sounds that can be annoying, especially if they are too loud.

How to ensure proper air exchange

Improving the quality of the air we breathe indoors and decreasing the concentration of pollutants, whether from external sources or from sources inside the building, is crucial, which is why adequate air renewal should be ensured. However, in this case, natural ventilation, which takes place by simply opening windows, is not usually effective. 

In fact, unless it is properly filtered, the air entering from adjacent rooms favours the penetration of particles that could be potentially harmful to health, resulting in increased indoor pollution levels. Moreover, by opening windows in winter, heat dissipates outside, which is a huge waste of energy and money.

This is the reason why controlled mechanical ventilation is the ideal solution to ensure a constant exchange of air inside the home and, more generally, also in crowded buildings of any kind. As mentioned previously, this specific technology entails the use of devices that are usually installed in a false ceiling along with a ducting system, which on the one hand directs the exhaust air outside, and on the other allows clean and properly filtered air to enter the rooms.

Air quality according to Clivet Controlled mechanical Ventilation

With more than 30 years of experience in developing and designing air conditioning solutions, Clivet offers an extensive range of Controlled Mechanical Ventilation systems designed to meet the needs of each environment. Clivet’s air renewal and purification systems, which are easy to install and offer excellent performance, have an active thermodynamic recovery system that ensures the air is heated and cooled also in mid-season as well as electronic filters which, through an electrostatic field, prevent airborne particles from entering. Any CMV solution can be installed in conjunction with any kind of heating and air conditioning system, including heat pumps, boilers and split systems. 

Discover Clivet’s solutions for mechanical ventilation