The French have a biased knowledge of indoor air quality, according to a survey.
The French would benefit from being better informed about the quality of indoor air and the pollution of their habitat. This is the observation to be drawn from a survey conducted on the occasion of National Air Quality Day by Rowenta. It offers solutions to purify indoor air and therefore has every interest in obtaining such results to facilitate the purchase. But beyond this commercial dimension, the survey remains instructive.
It first shows that two out of three French people find the quality of the outside air to be bad, which is highly probable. However, 77% mistakenly believe that the indoor air quality in their homes is good – especially seniors (90%). “In reality, the indoor air is two to eight times more polluted than the outdoor air,” recall the authors of the survey.
Formaldehyde
Moreover, respondents ignore the sources of indoor pollution. In particular, they ignore one of the main indoor pollutants, namely formaldehyde. This substance, known for its irritant effects, is mainly found in indoor environments because the sources are multiple (construction products, furniture, detergents, etc.), explains ANSES (National Agency for Health Safety of France). ‘food, environment and work) on his site.
“It is also emitted naturally during any combustion phenomenon (fires, cigarette smoke) and during anthropogenic activities (cooking food, wood stove). Since 2004, formaldehyde has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a proven carcinogenic substance for humans, ”explains ANSES.
However, the survey shows that more than eight in ten respondents do not know what formaldehyde is. Educational work therefore remains to be done so that the French increase their knowledge of indoor pollutants and limit their exposure.
.
