Air quality is an issue that’s moving up the health agenda. We’re all far more aware that the air we breathe can affect our health in the long-term.
Outdoor air is made up of a number of gases and particulates, some of which are so small they can enter the human bloodstream through the lungs, causing long-term illnesses such as cancer and impact on conditions such as asthma.
Unfortunately, we’re not necessarily safe from this pollution indoors – in fact, the air quality can be worse in our own homes.
It makes sense to think about home air quality and its impact on our health
David Hammond Business Development Manager
Home based pollutants
Many us are spending more time at home than ever before.
And it seems likely that a significant proportion of employees will continue to work from home for at least a few days a week in 2021 and beyond.
So it makes sense to think about home air quality and its impact on our health in the same way that we think about what we eat or how much we exercise.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) in our homes is affected by the quality of outdoor air, because that comes into the house through windows, doors and gaps in the structure.
But there are also pollutants created in our homes that add to the burden on our lungs and bodies.
The sources of these pollutants can be from everyday household items that we might regard as safe: cleaning materials; aerosol sprays; candles; carpets and furniture.
You can find out more by downloading the free BESA guide to indoor air quality.
Poor ventilation
Other air quality problems can be caused by humidity and mould, often associated with poorly-ventilated bathrooms. Cooking also releases harmful particulates.
Unfortunately, while opening a window might seem like the easy answer, it can sometimes make the problem worse by adding yet more outdoor pollutants to the mix.
In office buildings, mechanical ventilation systems should ensure that air is circulated and incoming air is filtered in order to keep air pollutants to a minimum.
And the same can be achieved with domestic ventilation systems, such as the Residential Lossnay Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system.
Designed with the home in mind
Residential Lossnay is designed to extract stale air continuously and efficiently from spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, toilets and utility rooms.
The heat recovery element means that the system recovers heat from outgoing air and applies it to incoming air. This means that air coming into a home is nearer the required indoor temperature, saving energy and keeping occupants comfortable.
Lossnay MVHR also offers optional NOx (nitrogen oxide) and particulate matter filtration in filter pockets on the MVHR, making them easy to maintain.
Both of these are particularly harmful to health, so the filters offer an extra level of protection.
An important area
Residential ventilation has often been overlooked in the past, but it is important to think about taking action on this serious health issue now.
With the right equipment, it is possible to provide a significant and noticeable improvement in indoor air quality at home, and in a way that is energy efficient too.
You can find out more about what Mitsubishi Electric is doing with our new campaign Love the Air We Breathe here: where there is more information on the impact of air quality on health and wellbeing
David Hammond is a Business Development Manager
