In all households, ensuring safety from invisible threats like Radon, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) requires vigilance and proactive measures. These gases and pollutants pose significant health risks when accumulated within confined spaces, underscoring the necessity for specialised detectors and efficient ventilation systems. Recognising the gravity of these hazards, we aim to highlight their sources, symptoms, and essential protocols to safeguard against poisoning incidents and maximising your indoor air quality.
Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are both by-products of incomplete combustion of fuels, resulting from insufficient oxygen presence. Predominantly, the general public's exposure to CO and NO2 in enclosed spaces stems from cooking or utilising fuel-burning appliances inadequately installed, faulty, or inappropriately used, coupled with inadequate ventilation. Instances include improperly installed home boilers and inhaling smoke from household fires, leading to potential exposure.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that in its natural state is colourless, odourless and tasteless. This makes it imperceptible to human senses, and individuals may not be aware of its presence without testing. Radon is formed by the decay of uranium, a radioactive element found in varying amounts in soil and rock. Radon can migrate from the ground into buildings, where it may accumulate to potentially harmful levels. It can affect buildings of all types but is often significantly more common in buildings with basements.
Radon gas increases the risk of lung cancer if exposed to high levels over prolonged periods and smokers or individuals with pre-existing respiratory illnesses are at a higher level of risk from exposure. In fact, radon is the second highest cause of lung cancer after smoking and causes around 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year. Being colourless, odourless, and tasteless makes radon imperceptible to human senses, and individuals may not be aware of its presence without testing.
VOCs or volatile organic compounds are compounds that evaporate at room temperature and are generally caused by cleaning and personal care products, building materials and other common household products such as cleaning products, air fresheners, deodorants and other aerosol based products and even carpets and furniture. These compounds, once vapourised, become airborne and can be inhaled or cause skin and eye irritation from exposure and can also be responsible for eczema and asthma flare-ups.
Along with second hand smoke (SHS), tobacco smoke also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is well known for its negative health implications and trapping this smoke in an indoor area compounds these effects.
Finally, Particulate Matter (PM) can be a mixture of both solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air that is mostly caused by burning fuel, cooking and road traffic. These particles are split into three main size categories based on the particle diameter and measured in microns (µm). These categories are PM10 (10µm), PM2.5 (2.5µm) and particles with a diameter less that 0.1µm - commonly known as Ultra Fine Particles (UFP)
The key to protecting your indoor air quality will always come down to suitable, efficient and effective ventilation. The use of continuous mechanical ventilation will ensure that the internal air is constantly being removed and replaced with fresh air, taking with it any build up of any polluting gases and airborne particulates in the home. A centralised multi room system such as an MVHR or MEV system will give the best protection for the whole home, but where these are not a possible installation option, installing dMEV units in problem areas such as kitchens, utility rooms and any other room that houses appliances that can produce CO and NO2 will also help to remove these gases before they can travel through your home and build up to problematic levels.
Similarly, for combatting Radon, MVHR or MEV systems are ideal but again, not always a possible installation option, so installing dMEV units in basements or other identified problem areas will also help to remove the gas before it can travel through your home and build up to problematic levels.
For issues with particulate matter, installing a ventilation system that introduces fresh air such as a PIV or MVHR system with suitable filters installed will stop the introduction of dust, pollen and other particulate matter from outside.
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