Effective solutions exist to ensure that the right to breathe healthy air becomes a reality for all.

 





 

 

 

 





Indoor air pollution is an issue that impacts a wide range of enclosed spaces such as houses, offices, schools and public transports, in which we spend 80% of our time on average. These spaces are sometimes more polluted than the outdoor air: the WHO estimates that poor indoor air quality is responsible for 3.8 million deaths worldwide each year. In France, the number of premature deaths due to the 6 main indoor pollutants is estimated at 20,000, and the cost of this pollution to the community is estimated at 19 billion euros per year.

**Behind the figures, what do we know today about the sources of indoor air pollution around the world? What problems arise depending on the areas concerned? How is the air quality of a building measured? What solutions exist to improve and preserve it?**

#### Discover:

- [Foreword](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2020/02/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality%20%282020%29%20-%20Foreword.pdf) by Philippe Kourilsky, Member of the Veolia Institute Foresight Committeee
- ​[Introduction by Nicolas Renard](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2020/02/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality%20%282020%29%20-%20Introduction.pdf), Director of Foresight, Veolia Institute

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*An issue produced in partnership with Nomadéis.  
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  [  ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/default/public/image/2020/02/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality%20%282020%29.jpg.webp?itok=8OrvFKEq)  ](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2020/02/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality%20%282020%29.pdf)  



[Read the review](https://www.institut.veolia.org/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/document/2020/02/The%20Veolia%20Institute%20Review%20-%20Indoor%20Air%20Quality%20%282020%29.pdf)



 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 





 

 

 



### 1. Indoor air quality: a multifaceted public health problem

 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/AdobeStock_271394567.jpeg.webp?itok=Q-ij7PUW)   



 ](/en/managing-indoor-air-quality-protect-occupant-health "Managing indoor air quality to protect occupant health") 

 Context 

 [Managing indoor air quality to protect occupant health](/en/managing-indoor-air-quality-protect-occupant-health "Managing indoor air quality to protect occupant health") 

 Docteur Fabien Squinazi  
 The French Public Health Council (HCSP)  
 The French Observatory on Indoor Air Quality (OQAI) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/managing-indoor-air-quality-protect-occupant-health "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/AdobeStock_231230634.jpeg.webp?itok=urQWf_fA)   



 ](/en/energy-transition-better-air-quality-public-health-issue "Energy transition for better air quality: a public health issue") 

 Context 

 [Energy transition for better air quality: a public health issue](/en/energy-transition-better-air-quality-public-health-issue "Energy transition for better air quality: a public health issue") 

 Maria P. Neira  
 World Health Organization (WHO) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/energy-transition-better-air-quality-public-health-issue "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/Source2.jpg.webp?itok=gayu-dpX)   



 ](/en/indoor-air-quality-observatory-oqai-unique-project-understand-air-pollution-our-living-spaces "The Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI): a unique project to understand air pollution in our living spaces") 

 Context 

 [The Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI): a unique project to understand air pollution in our living spaces](/en/indoor-air-quality-observatory-oqai-unique-project-understand-air-pollution-our-living-spaces "The Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI): a unique project to understand air pollution in our living spaces") 

 Corinne Mandin  
 Scientific and Technical Center for Building (CSTB) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/indoor-air-quality-observatory-oqai-unique-project-understand-air-pollution-our-living-spaces "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/31341365561_7c479147c2_o.jpg.webp?itok=YnXJgYdG)   



 ](/en/commuting-subway-what-you-need-know-about-air-quality "Commuting by subway? What you need to know about air quality") 

 Context 

 [Commuting by subway? What you need to know about air quality](/en/commuting-subway-what-you-need-know-about-air-quality "Commuting by subway? What you need to know about air quality") 

 Teresa Moreno, Fulvio Amato  
 Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/commuting-subway-what-you-need-know-about-air-quality "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/AdobeStock_256809760.jpeg.webp?itok=YMf6BA5T)   



 ](/en/what-do-we-breathe-inside-our-cars-characterization-infiltration-pollutants-and-recommendations "What do we breathe inside our cars? Characterization of the infiltration of pollutants and recommendations") 

 Context 

 [What do we breathe inside our cars? Characterization of the infiltration of pollutants and recommendations](/en/what-do-we-breathe-inside-our-cars-characterization-infiltration-pollutants-and-recommendations "What do we breathe inside our cars? Characterization of the infiltration of pollutants and recommendations") 

 Amine Mehel  
 ESTACA’Lab 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/what-do-we-breathe-inside-our-cars-characterization-infiltration-pollutants-and-recommendations "Read") 





 

 



 

 

 





### 2. Acting for healthy indoor air: from measurement to remediation

 

 [   ![Surveiller, informer, comprendre, innover : le rôle d’Airparif, association agréée pour la surveillance de la qualité de l’air](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/airlab_challenge2019_installation.jpg.webp?itok=wZaMxjwl)   



 ](/en/monitor-inform-understand-innovate-role-airparif-non-profit-organization-accredited-frances "Monitor, inform, understand, innovate: the role of Airparif, a non-profit organization accredited by France’s Ministry of the Environment to monitor air quality") 

 Challenges 

 [Monitor, inform, understand, innovate: the role of Airparif, a non-profit organization accredited by France’s Ministry of the Environment to monitor air quality](/en/monitor-inform-understand-innovate-role-airparif-non-profit-organization-accredited-frances "Monitor, inform, understand, innovate: the role of Airparif, a non-profit organization accredited by France’s Ministry of the Environment to monitor air quality") 

 Karine Léger  
 Airparif 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/monitor-inform-understand-innovate-role-airparif-non-profit-organization-accredited-frances "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/PROJET_PILOTE.png.webp?itok=LSnnGdtE)   



 ](/en/architecture-and-challenges-indoor-air-quality "Architecture and the challenges of indoor air quality") 

 Challenges 

 [Architecture and the challenges of indoor air quality](/en/architecture-and-challenges-indoor-air-quality "Architecture and the challenges of indoor air quality") 

 Dietmar Feichtinger  
 Feichtinger Architectes 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/architecture-and-challenges-indoor-air-quality "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![Echanges à un bureau](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2025/04/_DSC8739.jpg.webp?itok=YyhBGNy_)   



 ](/en/identifying-acting-how-guarantee-good-quality-air-buildings "From identifying to acting: how to guarantee good quality air in buildings") 

 Challenges 

 [From identifying to acting: how to guarantee good quality air in buildings](/en/identifying-acting-how-guarantee-good-quality-air-buildings "From identifying to acting: how to guarantee good quality air in buildings") 

 Sabine Fauquez, Frédéric Bouvier  
 OFIS 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/identifying-acting-how-guarantee-good-quality-air-buildings "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![Purifier l’air intérieur grâce aux plantes et bactéries : les expériences de la NASA et du projet Biosphere 2](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/Bill%20Wolverton_Fig.%201.jpg.webp?itok=63POnSrh)   



 ](/en/using-plants-and-soil-microbes-purify-indoor-air-lessons-nasa-and-biosphere-2-experiments "Using plants and soil microbes to purify indoor air: lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 experiments") 

 Challenges 

 [Using plants and soil microbes to purify indoor air: lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 experiments](/en/using-plants-and-soil-microbes-purify-indoor-air-lessons-nasa-and-biosphere-2-experiments "Using plants and soil microbes to purify indoor air: lessons from NASA and Biosphere 2 experiments") 

 Bill C. Wolverton, NASA & Wolverton Environmental Services  
 Mark Nelson, Institute of Ecotechnics, Space Biosphere Ventures (Biosphere 2) & Wastewater Gardens International 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/using-plants-and-soil-microbes-purify-indoor-air-lessons-nasa-and-biosphere-2-experiments "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![Intelligence artificielle et qualité de l’air intérieur : les nouvelles technologies au service de la santé](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/fullsize-banner-app-compo%403x.png.webp?itok=CskbHxkN)   



 ](/en/artificial-intelligence-and-indoor-air-quality-better-health-new-technologies "Artificial intelligence and indoor air quality: better health with new technologies") 

 Challenges 

 [Artificial intelligence and indoor air quality: better health with new technologies](/en/artificial-intelligence-and-indoor-air-quality-better-health-new-technologies "Artificial intelligence and indoor air quality: better health with new technologies") 

 Yann Boquillod  
 AirVisual 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/artificial-intelligence-and-indoor-air-quality-better-health-new-technologies "Read") 





 

 



 

 

 





### 3. From public perceptions to policymaking: shining light on an invisible pollution

 

 [   ![Perception citoyenne de la qualité de l’air intérieur en Chine, Belgique et France : chronique de la découverte d’un ennemi invisible](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/AdobeStock_271394475.jpeg.webp?itok=CKHpeZ-g)   



 ](/en/public-perception-indoor-air-quality-china-belgium-and-france-discovery-invisible-enemy "Public perception of indoor air quality in China, Belgium and France: the discovery of an invisible enemy") 

 Perspectives 

 [Public perception of indoor air quality in China, Belgium and France: the discovery of an invisible enemy](/en/public-perception-indoor-air-quality-china-belgium-and-france-discovery-invisible-enemy "Public perception of indoor air quality in China, Belgium and France: the discovery of an invisible enemy") 

 Laurence Bedeau  
 ELABE 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/public-perception-indoor-air-quality-china-belgium-and-france-discovery-invisible-enemy "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![Un effort multipartite et mondial pour lutter contre la pollution de l’air dans le monde](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/outdoor-smoke-roast-meal-food-bbq-1145470-pxhere.com_.jpg.webp?itok=R2dJLqNy)   



 ](/en/multiparty-and-global-eff-ort-address-air-pollution-around-world "A multiparty and global eff ort to address air pollution around the world") 

 Perspectives 

 [A multiparty and global eff ort to address air pollution around the world](/en/multiparty-and-global-eff-ort-address-air-pollution-around-world "A multiparty and global eff ort to address air pollution around the world") 

 Helena Molin Valdés  
 Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/multiparty-and-global-eff-ort-address-air-pollution-around-world "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![Corée du Sud : des politiques publiques concrètes face à la pollution de l’air intérieur](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/geotagged-united-states-usa-wisconsin-a6500-adventure-1598127-pxhere.com_.jpg.webp?h=4fb8558f&itok=tHUfsiBl)   



 ](/en/addressing-indoor-air-pollution-challenges-through-concrete-public-policies-south-korea "Addressing indoor air pollution challenges through concrete public policies in South Korea") 

 Perspectives 

 [Addressing indoor air pollution challenges through concrete public policies in South Korea](/en/addressing-indoor-air-pollution-challenges-through-concrete-public-policies-south-korea "Addressing indoor air pollution challenges through concrete public policies in South Korea") 

 Dr. Dong Hwa Kang  
 University of Seoul 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/addressing-indoor-air-pollution-challenges-through-concrete-public-policies-south-korea "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/Figure%201.jpg.webp?itok=8H7sMQbT)   



 ](/en/who-owns-air-emissions-trading-and-contemporary-media-art "Who owns the air? Emissions trading and contemporary media art") 

 Perspectives 

 [Who owns the air? Emissions trading and contemporary media art](/en/who-owns-air-emissions-trading-and-contemporary-media-art "Who owns the air? Emissions trading and contemporary media art") 

 Andrea Polli  
 University of New Mexico 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/who-owns-air-emissions-trading-and-contemporary-media-art "Read") 





 

 



 

 [   ![](/sites/g/files/dvc2551/files/styles/content_push_teaser/public/image/2020/02/Portland_Buckland.jpg.webp?h=67a27c5b&itok=u4O3nrOW)   



 ](/en/pollution-pods-can-art-change-peoples-perception-climate-change-and-air-pollution "Pollution Pods: can art change people’s perception of climate change and air pollution?") 

 Perspectives 

 [Pollution Pods: can art change people’s perception of climate change and air pollution?](/en/pollution-pods-can-art-change-peoples-perception-climate-change-and-air-pollution "Pollution Pods: can art change people’s perception of climate change and air pollution?") 

 Michael Pinsky, Laura Sommer  
 Norwegian University of Science and Technology 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 [Read](/en/pollution-pods-can-art-change-peoples-perception-climate-change-and-air-pollution "Read")