Indoor air

As a result of improved insulation in modern buildings, the exchange between stale indoor air and fresh outdoor air has decreased considerably leading to a decline in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). When considering that today, people generally spend more time indoors, the impact on an individuals well-being, comfort and health will be adversely affected. Learn more about the positive influence of textile floor coverings.

Experts agree that fine dust and certain endotoxins (organic substances) can cause an irritation of the respiratory tract and even contribute to chronic breathing problems and asthma. It has been found that often these health issues are caused by mould forming under moist conditions and which, once the spores are airborne, is potentially hazardous. IAP caused by these volatile organic compounds is recognised worldwide as a health risk.

Unpleasant and noxious odours which are often found in building materials and other interior furnishings can present a real issue to the consumer and sometime cause extreme discomfort and potential illness. Therefore all textile floor coverings tested  by GUT are tested for harmful substances and have to be classified as very low emission, and at the same time are also tested for possible odour-forming substances.

As a result of improved insulation in modern buildings, the exchange between stale indoor air and fresh outdoor air has decreased considerably leading to a decline in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and an increase in the concentration of pollutants in the interior. It is therefore essential that when building materials and furnishings are manufactured, as few volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) as possible are present to mitigate any risk of them being released during use.