It is possible to reduce indoor air pollutants by limiting sources of indoor air pollution and ensuring proper indoor air exchange. Ventilation helps lower humidity levels, supply oxygen, and remove pollutants.

Individual actions to improve indoor air quality

To refresh the air, it is recommended that you:

• to ventilate your home for at least 10 minutes a day, in both winter and summer;

• to ventilate while cooking, cleaning, doing DIY, and after washing;

• to maintain your ventilation system regularly and never block air inlets and outlets.

Contrary to popular belief, clean air has no smell. It is therefore unnecessary to use heavily scented cleaning products or air fresheners in your home.

To limit sources of pollution, it is recommended:

• use only a few cleaning products,

• to choose products with an eco-label or natural ingredients (black soap, baking soda, vinegar…),

• follow the recommended usage instructions and never mix products,

• avoid products containing bleach,

• clean floors regularly with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a filter (some air pollutants settle in dust),

• choose decorative and household items by prioritizing products with an A+ label,

• avoid using air fresheners, incense, candles, etc.,

• hang laundry outside if possible or in a well-ventilated room,

• above all, avoid smoking or smoke outdoors,

• hire a qualified professional once a year to maintain combustion-based systems (heating and/or hot water) (gas, coal, wood, etc.) as well as for mechanical chimney sweeping.

Collective actions to promote good indoor air quality

Beyond the actions individuals should prioritize, measures can be implemented by building managers and occupants. This is particularly the case in schools and daycare centers, where various measures can be implemented to reduce sources of pollution (guide published by ADEME), including:

• the selection and use of building materials;

• the selection and installation of furniture;

• the selection of cleaning services and eco-friendly cleaning products;

• the selection and purchase of school supplies.

Improving air exchange through ventilation also helps promote better air quality.

Certain facilities serving vulnerable members of the public, particularly those catering to children (daycare centers, schools, etc.), are also subject to regulated monitoring of indoor air quality. This requirement is enshrined in the law on the national commitment to the environment (Articles L. 221-8 and R. 221-30 et seq. of the Environmental Code). Thus, since January 1, 2018, all facilities serving children under the age of 6 (daycare centers, preschool) and elementary schools have been subject to this requirement. This requirement was extended to middle schools, high schools, and recreational facilities as of January 1, 2020.

In December 2022, the procedures for this monitoring were updated following the recommendations of the 4th National Health and Environment Plan. It now includes:

• an annual assessment of building ventilation systems, including direct-reading measurements of carbon dioxide concentrations;

• self-assessment of indoor air quality (IAQ), conducted at least every 4 years;

• a campaign to measure regulated pollutants conducted within 7 months of a key milestone in the building’s life cycle that could impact IAQ;

• the development of an action plan that takes into account the data from the aforementioned steps and aims to improve IAQ.