Indoor air is contaminated
Air is something constant, we are always surrounding by air. It is our life spring, but it also contributes to weaken us because each breath of air we take is polluted. Contrary to what we use to think, indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, because enclosing the air increase pollutants concentration. Moreover, sources of pollution are numerous: bacteria, virus, smokes, dust, fragrant particles, allergen, pollen, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), are all particles that pollute the air. We must add to those sources: the solvents and gas that emanate from domestic products of use, aero bio contamination conveyed by human presence, therefore, the air « oxygen resource » becomes « problems resource ».

Indeed, it can be dangerous for our health. According to your sensibility and your exposition to contamination, the risks are spread out. They can be tiny: nausea, concentration lacks, headaches (typical symptoms of Sick Building syndrome) or more dangerous. Breathing a polluted air lead to respiratory troubles (according to WHO, polluted air is responsible for 3 to 7% of pulmonary disease and for 3 to 15% of new asthma cases); to digestive troubles, to some cancer cases (it is estimated that indoor air pollution had increased by 20% cancer risks) and to allergy.

We are exposed to these risks wherever we are going: at home, at work, in assembly points (commercial centres, cinema, theatre, waiting rooms…). In some places, risks are even higher, it concerns health centres, where ill persons passed and let a temporary specific contamination in the air. In these cases, we are exposed to illness such as SARS that can be transmitted by air where micro organisms are in suspension temporary. This contamination is called airborne contamination; it acts also for tuberculosis, measles, chicken pox…

We spend more or less 90% of our time indoor. That is the reason why we manufactured air treatment appliances to purify confined space. ANEMO developed a specific system, that associates most performing air purification solutions. It is first filtered with activated carbon filter, then disinfected and deodorizing by PCO technology, and at least sterilized thanks to UVc action.

ANEMO propose you appliances with simple utilisation, at home, at work, during business trip: breath pure air!


Some pollutants present in confined spaces
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Tobacco smokes
Moulds
entoxines
acarinas
pet allergens
artificial mineral fibres
Volatile Organic Compounds
aldehyde
nitrogen oxide

The observatory for indoor air quality classifies these pollutants into 4 risky categories:
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Artificial mineral fibres particles (particles under 10 microns)
- Micro biologic (pets’ allergens, bacteria, mushrooms, moulds)
- Humidity

VOC cases
VOC are composed with different substances that can be from biogenic origin (natural origin) or from anthropogenic origin (human origin). They are always composed by at least one carbon element and others. Their volatility invests them an aptitude to spread more or less farther from their emission point. There are 210 species of VOC and more than 23 families.
On a planetary scale, natural sources of VOC are constituted at 90% by wastes.
The branches of industry that emit VOC more than others are road transport, industry, farming and tertiary sector.


Contamination effects on health.
Today, our way of life has changed a lot and w pass most of our time indoor (90% more or less). So, we are always exposed to indoor air pollution and to the risks that follow.
The medical profession list risks for health. They touch immune system (asthma, allergy), breathing apparatus (other irritations than asthma), cells (cancer) and cardio vascular system. Concerning especially VOC pollution, their effect is specific and depends on their family and on its concentration rate in the air.

VOC toxicity is due to some direct VOC toxicity, but also to the secondary transformation. Some troubles linked to VOC were identified. Frequency and outbreak delay of this troubles change according to exposure time, pollutants kind, individual’s sensibility and to others numerous factors.
Skin irritation – halogen or aromatics hydrocarbon
Eyes irritation – non substituted aromatics hydrocarbon like BTEX, substituted benzene cores
Respiratory bodies irritation - aromatics hydrocarbon, toluene diisocyanate
Cardiac troubles – toluene, chloroform, methylcholorform
Digestive troubles – benzene, toluene, halogen hydrocarbon (CH3Cl, CCl4…)
Renal disorders hepatic – BTEX, cumene, aliphatic halogen hydrocarbon
Head ache – most of VOC
Nervous system disorders – aromatics and halogen hydrocarbons, dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, benzene
Carcinogenic and mutagen action – benzene, none saturated hydrocarbon (olefinic hydrocarbon, olefin…) that can be transformed in toxic compounds, some aliphatic halogen hydrocarbons (derived chlorinated ethylene, butane and butadiene) and some aromatic compounds (styrene, benzene).