How do building materials influence the air quality of your home?

A sustainable building is one that is environmentally friendly and also cares for the health of its occupants. For this reason, optimal indoor air quality is essential. Did you know that one of the most common sources of indoor air pollution in buildings comes from the building materials themselves? The materials can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as well as radon, which can pose a threat to the health of users. In addition to emphasizing the materials used in new construction and rehabilitation works, the installation of an suitable ventilation system is more than necessary to ensure healthy indoor air.

Building materials and VOCs

increasingly demanding regulations regarding energy efficiency are causing new buildings to become increasingly airtight. While this is positive from an energy-saving perspective, it can be severely detrimental to people's health. Therefore, a good ventilation system that ensures proper air renewal is essential.

As we mentioned earlier, the very building materials can be a source of bacterial contamination, as they release volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, ranging from alcohols to glycol ethers. These VOCs are found in varnishes, paints, adhesives, disinfectants, air fresheners, etc. It is estimated that more than 75% of volatile organic compounds cause irritation of mucous membranes and that a quarter of them are directly related to cancer processes.

Other sources of bacterial contamination

In the indoor air we breathe, in addition to chemical pollutant particles, we can also find microbiological particles. These particles can originate from heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment. Consequently, it is essential to have a sealed ventilation system that eliminates the risk of water vapor accumulation in its ductwork. It should be noted that condensation inside systems (whether air conditioning or ventilation) creates ideal conditions for the proliferation of microbiological agents that endanger our health. Proper maintenance of installations and correct hygiene will prevent the proliferation of microbial agents responsible for numerous health issues. Bacterial contamination can also come from the users themselves, through the CO2 emitted by living beings through metabolic processes (respiration).

The reproduction of these microbiological contaminants can be controlled through air temperature, relative humidity index, and ventilation. It is important to remember that an environment with low temperature and high relative humidity will be a breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold, and that an environment subjected to high temperature will be a breeding ground for legionella. We need to equip our building with a good controlled mechanical ventilation system (with high-quality HEPA filters) that ensures clean air free from pollutant particles without increasing energy demand.