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.
Indoor air pollution in Belgium
According to a study conducted in 2013 by the RCIB-CRIPI and WIV-ISP (Sciensano’s predecessor) in Brussels:
- the most common symptoms in patients suffering from indoor air pollution are allergic and respiratory symptoms.
- children 0 to 5 years were the most concerned by medical requests for indoor air analysis
- of the 951 dwellings analysed in Brussels, 63.2% were contaminated by molds, but only 16.3% of them were visible
- the most common mold found in homes is Cladosporium sphaerospermum (50.2% of samples) followed by Aspergillus versicolor and Penicillium
- mites are most often found in mattresses, carpets and armchairs.