Home Sense: Want to choose the air you breathe? This is how

When you are evaluating an apartment, building, or office room, you may look at the location, the view, the design or the structure of the building as factors determining your satisfaction with the place. Indoor air quality is rarely ever taken into consideration.

Indoor air quality has a great influence on our well-being. Polluted air can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; wheezing, coughing and breathing difficulties; worsening of existing lung and heart problems or the initiation of previously non-existing allergies.

Indeed, the air quality indoors may have a greater effect on our health than outdoor air because we spend more time indoors, the air is more dense in a confined area, and is regulated by the air conditioner, of which we as occupants know very little.

Although we may not be able to change the air, we can certainly influence air filtration.  According to Iyad al Attar, a Kuwait-based Air Filtration Consultant a smart application of air filtration can improve our well-being considerably.

“When we buy a smartphone, we assess its intelligence according to its capabilities and its data processing power; manufacturers even interact with potential users to predict what they want and direct them towards the appropriate application. Air filters, too, can get smarter,” he wrote in an article published in the November issue of Air Filtration.

“However, a major part of its efficient use relies on the owner’s willingness and understanding in order to optimise its performance.”

For one, not all air filtration systems are suited for the UAE climate, he explains.

In the Gulf, sandstorms that occur from time to time form an additional health hazard. One such health risk is the collection of particles during Asian dust storms, which according to studies could increase lung inflammation and injury, he writes.

“In sandstorm areas it is important to reinforce the fresh air and pre-filtration stages to reduce not only dust concentration arriving to the final stages, but also the size distribution of this dust,” he said. “However, in the UAE most air conditioners include only one filter, which is not enough.”

On top of that, humidity affects the performance of the air conditioner, as the permeability of the air flow may be affecting by clogging of the filter. Climate sensitive elements like these are overlooked, Al Attar believes. “Many air filtration systems are designed for colder areas, and not suited for the UAE climate.”

Individual particularities form another factor that should influence the choice of indoor air control. People with allergies are more vulnerable to air pollutants. In case of a sandstorm, medical advice recommends staying inside, as the air may be filled with particles that can ignite the allergic reaction. But how sure are you of the indoor air quality?

“When you have a lot of dust settlement in your residence, you should start asking questions. The air filtration may not be sufficient. A lot of dust should send an alarming message,” he said.

Depending on the level of disturbance one faces in regards of air pollution, tenants may want to look into the placement of an extra filter or increased filter efficiency.

At the same time there are indoor air contaminants that may influence indoor quality, such as emissions from building materials, technical equipment, permeability of the wall structures, ventilation practices and ventilation rate, building practices and cleaning habits, or emissions of products which are used indoors.

“The individual should be inquisitive, and ask many questions as the indoor air may not be controlled by the tenant himself,” said Al Attar.

But this is not an easy task, he admits. “Residents might not always know how to word what is wrong with their air control. The government should take an active role in this as well, perhaps instructing what kind of system should be applied where.”

Recently, the Public Health and Safety Department of Dubai Municipality started to assess the indoor air quality in public buildings especially buildings of government and private schools in the emirate.

“Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but fewer realize that indoor air pollution can also contribute to ill health. Reduced ventilation, too much humidity and the use of chemicals can lead to unhealthy air and affect health and well-being,” Sultan Essa Al Suwaidi, Head of Public Safety Section said.

“There is no known, safe level of air pollution. Even low levels of air pollution can have a negative effect on the health of vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children, and people with cardio respiratory problems,” he explained.

However, with the study the Department aims to measure indoor pollution levels, identify  sources of pollution and finally to recommend methods and procedures to deal with such sources and reduce the level of indoor pollutants.

Meanwhile, residents can do their bit by investigating, questioning and lobbying with the party responsible of the indoor air control. Not always will the solution lie with the centralised system; an individual approach to better indoor quality may induce some extra costs, but improve one’s health for a lifetime.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.