Projects | HEALTH AND INDOOR SPACES

Why indoor air quality is a priority

The importance of healthy indoor environments is often underestimated, with concerns sometimes dismissed as exaggerated or commercially motivated. However, numerous scientific studies have established a direct link between pollutants like CO2, VOCs, and particulate matter (PM) in enclosed spaces and the onset of respiratory and other health issues1.

Over the last decade, leading international agencies—including WHO, OSHA, and EPA—have continuously updated guidelines and numerical standards for air quality, acknowledging the seriousness of the issue. According to the WHO, poor air quality caused 4.2 million deaths in 2016: 17% due to strokes, 25% to COPD, and 26% to other respiratory diseases. Studies also show that indoor pollutant levels can be two to four times higher than outdoor levels, while in the US, people spend an average of over 22 hours a day indoors1.

Health impact and economic costs

Poor indoor air quality is one of the major environmental health risks globally. Building-related illnesses are mainly divided into:

• BRI (Building Related Illness): clinically defined and diagnosable symptoms directly linked to building contaminants.
• SBS (Sick Building Syndrome): widespread symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea, cough, sore throat, eye problems, etc.) with less clear causes, but associated with poor indoor air quality.

In the United States alone, SBS affects 10 to 25 million people, causing productivity losses estimated between $82 and $104 billion per year, plus $140 billion in direct medical expenses1.

Risk factors and parameters to monitor

The “generators” of SBS and BRI include:

• Physical factors: temperature:, humidity, ventilation, lighting, noise, air quality
• Integrated solutions: presence of mold, emission of harmful substances
• Psychosocial and individual factors: age, gender, genetic predisposition, habits like smoking, psychological state

Key indoor pollutants to monitor include O3, CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, particulate matter (PM), and TVOC. These can cause fatigue, respiratory infections, COPD, and, in severe cases, lung cancer1.

Thermal comfort and humidity: reference standards

To ensure comfort and health, ASHRAE 55-2017 recommends:

• Indoor temperature: 20.3–23.9°C in winter, 23.9–26.9°C in summer
• Relative humidity: between 30% and 60% (EPA), to reduce mold growth

The Kerberos solution: sensors and consulting for environmental health

Kerberos has long been at the forefront of promoting healthy indoor environments, offering:

• Advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of CO2, VOCs, PM, and other environmental parameters
• Integrated solutions for air quality management and comfort optimization
• Free and personalized consulting for companies, schools, offices, and public spaces

Implementing monitoring systems is essential to prevent risks, improve well-being, and reduce costs related to illness and absenteeism. Kerberos also offers a free scientific study from the University of Florida on the effects of indoor pollutants on health.

Contact Kerberos to discover all solutions dedicated to air quality and smart indoor space management.

 

For free advice on these issues, write to sales@kerberos.energy.

To download the University of Florida study on the effect of indoor pollutants on health click here.