Winter is here. So is the indoor air quality crisis!

We worry about outdoor pollution—but what about the air inside?

We often associate air pollution with traffic jams, factory chimneys, and hazy skylines. But here’s a reality that rarely makes headlines: most of us spend most of our time indoors, breathing air that is often more polluted than the air outside.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) was once an afterthought — something assumed to be “good enough.” Today, it has become a silent risk factor affecting health, productivity, comfort, and even long-term well-being.

The question is no longer “Is indoor air quality important?”
The real question is: Can we afford to ignore it any longer?

Why IAQ was never a concern before — and why that has changed

Buildings have become more energy‑efficient—but also more pollutant‑dense.

For decades, indoor spaces were simpler:

• Fewer synthetic materials
• Minimal chemical-based furnishings
• Less airtight construction
• Lower dependence on air conditioning

Fast forward to today, and our buildings have transformed:

• Highly sealed structures for energy efficiency
• Increased use of chemicals, composites, and adhesives
• Continuous operation of HVAC systems
• Work-from-home and high-occupancy indoor lifestyles

Ironically, buildings designed to protect us are now trapping pollutants inside.

What changed is not just our environment—it’s our exposure.

The invisible pollutants we live with every day

Indoor air pollutants don’t announce themselves. You can’t always smell them. You can’t always see them. But they are constantly present.

Key Indoor Pollutants That Matter Most

According to global and national studies, indoor air can contain 2–5 times higher concentrations of certain pollutants compared to outdoor air—especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

• Particulate Matter (PM2.5 & PM10)
  Generated from cooking, dust, candles, printers, and outdoor infiltration—these tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs.

Research shows that for every 10 µg/m³ increase in PM2.5, measurable declines in cognitive performance and work efficiency are observed.
Generated from cooking, dust, candles, printers, and outdoor infiltration—these tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
  Not toxic at normal levels, but a strong indicator of poor ventilation. Elevated CO₂ leads to fatigue, drowsiness, and reduced cognitive performance.

Offices with consistently high CO₂ levels report lower decision‑making ability and increased occupant complaints. Not toxic at normal levels, but a strong indicator of poor ventilation. Elevated CO₂ leads to fatigue, drowsiness, and reduced cognitive performance.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  Emitted from paints, furniture, cleaning agents, air fresheners, and office equipment—often linked to headaches, irritation, and long‑term health risks.

VOC concentrations indoors are commonly found to be 2–5 times higher than outdoor levels, even in modern buildings.
Emitted from paints, furniture, cleaning agents, air fresheners, and office equipment—often linked to headaches, irritation, and long-term health risks.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  A colorless, odorless gas from combustion sources—dangerous even at low concentrations.
• Temperature & Humidity Imbalance
  Often overlooked, yet critical. High humidity encourages mold growth; low humidity causes respiratory irritation and discomfort.

The danger isn’t one pollutant—it’s the continuous, combined exposure.

Poor IAQ is not just a health issue — it’s a performance issue

Indoor air pollution is linked to millions of premature deaths globally every year, according to international health agencies—and its everyday impact is felt long before serious illness appears. The impact of indoor air quality goes far beyond coughing or allergies. Studies and real-world data consistently link poor IAQ to:

• Reduced concentration and decision-making ability
• Increased absenteeism and sick days
• Lower workplace productivity
• Headaches, eye irritation, and fatigue
• Long-term respiratory and cardiovascular risks

In offices, schools, hospitals, and homes, air quality silently shapes how we think, feel, and perform. If lighting and ergonomics deserve attention, why not the air we breathe?

The illusion of “comfort”—why we don’t realise the problem

One of the biggest challenges with IAQ is perception -If a room feels cool or smells neutral, we assume it’s safe. But comfort does not equal cleanliness when it comes to air.

Many harmful pollutants:

• Have no smell
• Cause gradual, not immediate symptoms
• Accumulate over time

By the time discomfort is noticeable, air quality has often been compromised for hours, days, or weeks.

You can’t improve what you don’t measure

Many indoor pollution spikes occur during routine activities like cooking, cleaning, or high occupancy—often without occupants realizing it. This is where the conversation must shift—from awareness to action. This is where the conversation must shift—from awareness to action. Relying on assumptions is no longer enough. Measurement is the foundation of control.