Indoor Air Quality

The air that we breathe has a crucial effect on our health and well-being. Since we spend on average more than 90% of our time indoors, the air quality inside is of utmost importance. The presence and size of particulate matter* (PM) or fine dust is a  determining factor in air quality and is directly linked to potential health problems. Once inhaled, these particles can contribute to the spread of microbial contaminants, such as mould, bacteria, pollen and allergens. In addition, they can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious physiological problems (e.g. changes in lung function or inflammation markers).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designed clear guidelines on air pollution from fine dust (indoor and outdoors), indicating that presence with an aerodynamic diameter of 10μm or smaller (PM10) is damaging to your health. These small particles are invisible to the naked eye and do not necessarily produce a noticeable odour. Therefore a visibly clean room can have a considerable air quality issue. Extensive evidence from WHO indicates that concentrations of fine dust currently found in most cities in developed countries around the world results in a serious health risk**.

The essential role of DESSO AirMaster^®
According to a study performed by the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB), it is proven that the burden from fine dust is dramatically reduced when using carpet, as opposed to hard flooring.

With the introduction of DESSO AirMaster^® this functionality is taken to the next level. Its patented*** technology has been specially developed to capture and retain hazardous particulate matter. In fact, DESSO AirMaster^® is 8 times more effective in capturing and retaining fine dust than hard flooring and 4 times more effective than standard carpet solutions (PM10), making it the most effective flooring solution to remove fine dust from the air.

* Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution or PM, is a mixture of extremely small particles. The size of particles is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. The smaller these particles are, the more hazardous they are to your health. Particulate matter can be grouped into two categories:

PM10 Inhalable particles, with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10μm. Particles of this size or smaller cause health problems, because these are the particles that generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs.

PM2.5 Fine particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5μm. Particles of this size or smaller can have effects to the respiratory and cardiovascular system.

** Source: World Health Organization Air quality guidelines for particulate matter, global update 2005.

*** Patent pending: NL 2002808.

For more information download the DESSO AirMaster^® brochure here.