Indoor air pollution

We spend most of our time indoors. Our activities, the objects and the materials that surround us release substances into the air that can be harmful to health. 

What is indoor air pollution?

The air we breathe indoors is sometimes more polluted than the air we breathe outdoors. Our way of life, our activities, the objects, the materials and the products that surround us can be the source of many pollutants that could harm our health. 

  • chemical pollutants (tobacco smoke, cleaning products, substances present in furniture and coatings, etc.)
  • microbiological pollutants (molds, mites, bacteria) and their products (microbial volatile organic compounds, endotoxins, mycotoxins, etc.)
  • physical pollutants (asbestos, radon, etc.). 

The impact of indoor air pollution is further exacerbated by the fact that we spend most of our time indoors: at home, in the office, at school, in transport, in shops etc.

The lack of fresh air intake and ventilation, the presence of damp and dust are decisive factors that foster the accumulation of certain pollutants in the indoor air.

In collaboration with the regions, Sciensano carries out sampling and analysis on a number of microbiological pollutants (bacteria, fungi, molds) in private (residential) and public places.

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