Day after day, the same routine persists: leaving the comfort of home for the office, taking a lunch break outside, only to return home in the evening. In reality, we spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors, primarily within our own residences. However, the reality of indoor air quality is often alarming, with pollution levels five to ten times higher than outdoor air—a sobering realization.
Three main sources contribute to this pollution. Firstly, excessive building insulation, driven by energy-saving concerns, creates a tight seal that hinders air circulation. This lack of ventilation concentrates pollutants, moisture, and mold indoors. Secondly, the behaviors of occupants, using an abundance of scented candles, incense, and chemical household products, contribute to the deterioration of air quality. Lastly, the choice of modern construction materials, such as cement and synthetic materials, replaces traditional materials like wood and natural stone, impacting indoor air quality.
Today, in buildings, a multitude of different materials accumulate, requiring careful consideration of their impact on health. These volatile organic compounds, invisible and insidious, contribute each year to the premature death of thousands, causing issues ranging from simple headaches to severe respiratory problems.
For those seeking renovation alternatives mindful of air quality, materials such as lime, hemp, flax, wood fiber, and glass wool are favored. Wood, as a traditional construction material, and emerging alternatives like raw earth are also recommended. For finishes, clay, solvent-free paints, and cork for flooring offer healthier choices for inhabitants.
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