Responsible for more than 20,000 premature deaths per year: indoor pollution should not be underestimated

Indoor pollution: don't underestimate it!

In France, 60% of homes contain poor air quality. A survey by the association Santé Réspiratoire France reveals that only a third of people with respiratory diseases are aware that air quality is generally worse indoors than outdoors.

The French spend 80% of their time in enclosed spaces (homes, workplaces, transportation, etc.). Indoor pollution, which includes mites, mold, and volatile organic compounds, affects them greatly, with an alarming finding: indoor air is 5 to 9 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the Observatory for the Quality of Indoor Environments (OQEL). It is responsible for more than 20,000 premature deaths each year in France.

The association Santé Réspiratoire France highlights through this survey “Health and Housing” the lack of knowledge of the main people concerned in terms of indoor pollution. One might expect that these people, suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, have a better perception of the risks, being more aware of the danger. This is not the case.

More than 70% believe indoor air is no more polluted than outdoor air

According to the survey, 97% of respondents believe that indoor air quality can affect their health, and 86% say they are concerned about it, including 50% who are “very concerned.” Yet 71% feel safe at home, believing that indoor air is no more polluted than outdoor air. It is, in fact, the opposite.

As for humidity, 82% consider it to be an indoor air pollutant. However, 40% of respondents have difficulty identifying pollutants as a whole. And 41% do not know effective solutions to protect themselves from this type of pollution.

According to official INSEE figures, 20.6% of homes in France show visible signs of humidity.

40% of respondents say they have little or no information about indoor air pollution. Thus, 67% wish to receive reliable information from health professionals and 57% via official sites (State, learned societies, etc.).

Call on the CEIs!

95% of people with respiratory diseases and their caregivers have never had an air quality diagnosis carried out in their home, although 43% indicated that they had already lived in a home showing signs of humidity (mould, condensation or saltpeter).

In addition, 41% of respondents mentioned at least one bad recommendation to combat humidity, such as “purchasing purifying plants” or “small electrical appliances such as air purifiers with special filters”. None of the on-board technologies guarantee good performance, specifies the Environment and Energy Management Agency.

Indoor pollution can harm respiratory health in general, and more specifically exacerbate diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indoor environment consultants (IECs), who have a diploma in "Respiratory health and housing", are a key element in the prevention of respiratory diseases. At the request of a doctor, they intervene at home to assess the nature and level of indoor pollution.

Because patients often struggle to identify the presence of mold or other allergens and toxic substances in their home. The indoor environment consultant is able to detect indoor pollution responsible for respiratory problems, whether they are of allergic origin or not. This includes irritations caused by volatile organic compounds emitted by paints and interior fragrances, as well as mold.

On a daily basis, to limit indoor pollution, open windows for about fifteen minutes each day, including in winter, or have controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) installed to ventilate living spaces, starting with the bathroom.

For more information:

Practical advice for limiting exposure to pollutants

Indoor pollutants and respiratory health, what do we know ?