The great challenge we face with indoor air pollution is knowing our enemy.
Pollutants come from varied sources, such as household cleaning supplies, pets, chemical finishes, paints, cosmetics, etc. Some of these are harmful chemicals that end up trapped in our home and workspaces. Niko Järvinen of Naava, a company that utilizes plant systems to improve indoor air, says the effects of independent chemicals on the human body may be known, but the health effects of chemical interactions indoors remain uncertain.
Further research has demonstrated the correlation between indoor air pollution and short-term health determinants, such as ENT irritation, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Additionally, long-term exposure has been associated with hazardous health issues, such as respiratory and heart diseases, cancer, and potential fatalities.
In order to combat the chemical conundrum, Järvinen’s company installs green walls that act as biofilters. Specific plants absorb the air and purify it at the root level then release clean air in return. The resulting air is far from sterile. The biofiltration systems mimic air composition found in nature which serves to improve health. The resulting air maintained 30-50 chemicals rather than the 300+ chemicals found in an office environment without filtration.
There are even more ways to reduce air pollution inside the home or workplace. Recent research from the University of Utah has demonstrated the potential for indoor air pollution mitigation through the use of HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units. Neal Patwari and Kyeong T. Min set up twelve air pollution sensors in four separate homes. The sensors were distributed inside and outside of the homes. Each home had its HVAC systems set to one of three variables: “Normal,” or HVAC oscillation based on temperature, “SmartAir,” in which the HVAC system operated on temperature and air quality data, and “Always On.”
The experiment concluded that HVAC systems that only responded to temperature data did not clean the air as well as the “SmartAir” or “Always On” settings. The “SmartAir” and “Always On” settings equivalently provided clean air, but the “SmartAir” setting proved 58% more energy efficient! HVAC systems that oscillate according to both air quality and temperature measurements maximize air quality and energy efficiency. But do not forget to clean or change your air filter when necessary.
We may not know the exact sources of indoor air pollution but we can measure and mitigate it. At FutureAir, we are developing SAM to measure air quality so we can act when the air quality is poor–turn on the HVAC, open a window, buy a few plants, or use an essential oil diffuser to reduce pollutants in the home or workplace.
Written by Mollie Wodenshek for FutureAir
References
Gillman, Steven, “Artificial forest air and light-based chemical reactions tackle indoor pollution,” Phys.org.
Olson, Annaliese, “Air Quality at Home: 10 Ways to Purify Your Indoor Environment Naturally,” The Environmental Magazine.
University of Utah, “Clear the Air,” EurekAlert!.
Photo
NAAVA