Indoor Air Quality & Material Health
Engineering the respiratory home—mastering HEPA filtration, VOC off-gassing, and bio-filtration through plants
Indoor Air Quality & Material Health
Quick Summary: Indoor air is often 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. A master-class home manages air quality through three technical layers: Source Control (eliminating VOCs), Filtration (HEPA/MERV 13), and Ventilation. Improving air quality can increase sleep quality by 18% and cognitive function by 61%.
In Sustainable Materials, we touched on VOCs. Here, we build the Air Engineering Strategy. Every item you bring into your home is an "Emission Source." Our goal is to create a "Low-Emission Environment" that protects the biological health of its occupants.
The Three Pillars of Air Engineering
Principle: "Don't bring it inside."
- Enemies: Formaldehyde (in cabinets), Phthalates (in vinyl), and VOCs (in paint).
- Strategy: Specify Greenguard Gold or OEKO-TEX certified products.
Principle: "Clean what you can't control."
- HEPA: Removes 99.97% of particles >0.3 microns.
- Activated Carbon: Mandatory for removing chemical smells (TVOCs).
Principle: "Dilution is the solution to pollution."
- Metric: Target 0.35 Air Changes per Hour (ACH).
- Strategy: Open windows for 15 minutes daily (even in winter) or use an ERV/HRV system.
Mastering Material Off-Gassing
The "New Carpet" Off-Gas Strategy
New carpets can release over 200 different chemicals. If possible, "Out-gas" the carpet in a warehouse for 72 hours before installing it in your home.
Zero-VOC specified as "Standard"
Always ensure your Wall Treatments use Low-VOC or Zero-VOC binders. Traditional alkyd paints can off-gas for up to 3 years.
Avoid Flame Retardants
Look for "FR-Free" foams in your sofa and mattress. Flame retardants (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants that accumulate in human fat cells.
Manage the "Damp"
Maintain indoor humidity between 30-50%. Higher humidity (50%+) leads to mold spores; lower humidity (30%-) allows viruses to spread more easily.
Key Takeaways
- Indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air.
- Source Control is the #1 defense: Use Greenguard Gold materials.
- Maintain 30-50% Humidity to prevent mold and viruses.
- HEPA + Carbon for active chemical removal.
- Ventilate daily: 15 minutes of open windows is a health tool.
Next Steps
- Refine your Sustainable Materials
- Build a High-Performance Kitchen
- Learn about Biophilic Design
Validation Summary: Guidelines based on EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) IAQ standards and the WELL Building Standard (v2) Air concept.