STUDIES OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

INPAL
Jun 24, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Indoor environmental quality studies

WHY IT MATTERS AND HOW TO IMPROVE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Imagine this... you get home after a long day, close the door and take a deep breath... but instead of that feeling of relief, you notice that the air is heavy, as if it were stuffy. Or maybe in your office, after a few hours, you start to feel a headache for no apparent reason. Has it happened to you? Many of us don't know. It could be about indoor environmental quality, a topic we rarely talk about but which directly affects our health and productivity.

It turns out that we spend about 90% of our time in enclosed spaces-homes, offices, schools, industries-and we often take for granted that the air we breathe there is clean. But the reality is that it can be full of pollutants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints and furniture, dust mites, smoke, mold spores, and even gases that seep in unnoticed.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT IS UNHEALTHY?

The effects may be subtle at first: eye irritation, dry throat, constant fatigue... symptoms that we easily attribute to stress or normal tiredness. But over time, poor indoor air quality can aggravate allergies, cause respiratory problems and even affect our concentration. In poorly ventilated places, carbon dioxide (yes, the same carbon dioxide we exhale) builds up and makes us feel drowsy, as if our brains can't cope.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SPACES?

Here are a few tips. The good news is that you don't need to be an expert to take action. A few simple changes can make all the difference:

1.- Ventilate, ventilate and ventilate:

Opening the windows even for a few minutes a day renews trapped air and reduces the concentration of pollutants.

2.- Indoor plants:

They are not just decoration. Species such as Potus, Ficus and Sansevieria help filter toxins.

The images are shown in order based on the name of the plants.

3.- Control humidity:

A level between 30% and 50% prevents the proliferation of mold and dust mites. A dehumidifier or even extractors in bathrooms and kitchens can help.

ASK ABOUT OUR DEHUMIDIFIERS

4.- Choose low-VOC products:

From paints to furniture, there are options with fewer volatile chemicals.

5.- Maintain cleanliness (without exaggeration):

Regular vacuuming and avoiding dust buildup is key, but beware of harsh cleaners-sometimes substituting vinegar or baking soda is better.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACTS

In the end, it's about being aware that the environment in which we live and work influences us more than we realize. We don't need to become air purity fanatics, but we do need to observe, ask ourselves “How do I feel in this space?” and make adjustments where possible. Because, at the end of the day, to breathe better is to live better.

Have you noticed how it affects the air in your home or office? Sometimes the simplest solutions are the ones that change our day the most.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

When we talk about studies in this field, it's not just “measuring if the air feels fresh”. There is a whole scientific protocol behind it, with standardized parameters and technologies that detect what our senses cannot perceive. For example:

1. What exactly is measured?

Studies tend to focus on these indicators:

CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): Concentrations above 1000 ppm (parts per million) indoors reduce cognitive ability (proven in Harvard studies!). It is measured with infrared sensors.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Such as formaldehyde (present in particleboard furniture or glues). They are analyzed with gas chromatography.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10): Those microscopic particles that enter from the street or are generated by cooking. Laser counters are used here.

Humidity and Temperature: An ideal range prevents mold and dust mites. OSHA recommends maintaining between 20-24°C and 40-60% relative humidity.

2. Evaluation Methods

It's not just arriving with a little device and that's it. Serious studies follow protocols such as:

Continuous monitoring: Sensors that record data 24/7 to see patterns (e.g., CO₂ spikes in long meetings).

Spot sampling: Taking samples of air or surfaces (for fungi, for example) and analyzing them in the laboratory.

Occupant surveys: Because perceived comfort counts, too. If 20% of people in a building report headaches, there's a red flag.

3. Reference Standards

This includes standards such as:

ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation for acceptable air).
WELL Building Standard (certification that evaluates health in buildings).
EU Directive 2008/50/EC (legal limits for pollutants).

And what do we experts do with this data?

At INPAL we do not stop at the diagnosis. A good study proposes technical solutions with air conditioning systems.

Mechanical ventilation systems with HEPA filters (for PM2.5).
Flushing strategies (intensive post-construction ventilation to eliminate VOCs).
Spread of pathogens: Stagnant condensation pans are sources of fungi and bacteria.
Integrated humidifiers: In dry climates, they compensate for dehydration caused by air conditioning.

So, the next time you notice that the air in a place is weighing you down, remember: it's not “your thing”. It's a sign that the space needs maintenance, and now you know where to start. Because breathing clean air is not a luxury, it is a right. And, above all, it is one of the easiest ways to take care of ourselves and those who share those spaces with us.