Indoor Air Pollution: A Growing Concern

Indoor air pollution (or SBS – Sick Building Syndrome) is often more dangerous than outdoor pollution because we spend 90% of our time indoors, where VOCs accumulate. The air we breathe inside offices and industrial facilities can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This is due to specific contaminant sources that add to atmospheric smog, including emissions from paints and furniture, mold growth, humidity, and the use of chemical detergents.

September 6, 2023

Indoor Air Quality:
An Invisible but Real Danger

Indoor pollution refers to the presence of contaminants and harmful substances in the enclosed environments where we spend the majority of our time, such as homes, offices, and schools.

There is a common misconception, especially in urban areas, that building walls protect us from outdoor atmospheric pollution. The scientific reality is quite different: indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside.

Sources of Risk

Although this topic has only been studied in depth in recent years, its impact on public health is drastic. In fact, pollution filtering in from the outside is compounded by numerous specific internal sources:

Building Materials and Finishes: Wall paints and solvents.
Furniture and Furnishings: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released from furniture coatings, adhesives, and glues.
Biological Agents: Molds and moisture buildup resulting from poor ventilation.
Household Care Products: Detergents and everyday chemical substances.

A Global Health Issue

The World Health Organization (WHO) has shone a spotlight on this emergency, estimating that millions of deaths each year are attributable to poor indoor air quality.

While regulatory limits are constantly evolving and vary by local authority, it is essential to reference the most rigorous international parameters to ensure truly healthy and safe environments.

The following links are a starting point to delve into the phenomenon of indoor air pollution (or IAQ Indoor Air Quality), and derive data on the impact of the problem, recommended limits, and recommendations/guidelines.

World Health Organization – Air Pollution
Environmental Protection Agency US – Indoor Air Quality
Ministero della Salute – Inquinamento dell’Aria Indoor
Solerpalau – Inquinamento dell’aria indoor: quali sono le cause e come prevenirle?

Photocatalytic filtration for VOCs abatement.

Photocatalytic filtration is a photochemical reaction in which a catalyst (titanium dioxide) irradiated by light, decomposes pollutants in whose composition carbon is present.

It is one of the best air purification methods, as it does not simply filter pollutants (in the traditional sense of "retaining"), but destroys them and, therefore, manages to be effective even against substances too small to be physically blocked by a filter, such as, for example, bad smells.

In addition, titanium dioxide is known for its bactericidal properties, making TiO2 photocatalytic filters highly effective at removing viruses and bacteria from the air (for more details, see the article on the bactericidal power of titanium dioxide).

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