Understanding the Issue
Many of the products and items found in homes contain and release toxic substances that can harm our health.
These substances are present in construction parts, decoration materials, insulators, paints, coatings, plastics, cleaning products, household pesticides, air fresheners, cleaning products and personal hygiene, tap water, food, as well as other things present in homes.
Countless scientific studies have associated these substances with health problems even at very low concentrations, for example in house dust. Some of these substances belong to groups such as phthalates, fire retardants, perfluorinated compounds, or among many others, volatile organic compounds (formaldehyde, benzene, toluene ...) which can be inhaled within households.
The fact that the population of the western world spends about 90% of their time indoors elevates this issue to be a serious health concern for major institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
References
NTP 521: Calidad de aire interior: emisiones de materiales utilizados en la construcción, decoración y mantenimiento de edificios.
