Ventilate properly

That's how you do it

If the outside air in your environment is of poor quality, it will enter your building during ventilation and airing. However, sufficient ventilation and airing remain important. After all, there are many sources of pollution indoors, such as paint, glues, furniture, craft materials, cleaning agents or printers. If you do not air or ventilate at all, the quality of the air inside will quickly be worse than that of the outside air.

• Ventilate and air as much as possible along the traffic-calmed sides of the building, such as the garden or a quiet street.
• If there is a mechanical ventilation system, make sure that the place where the air is drawn in is on a side that is less trafficked.
• If possible, ventilate and air only outside peak hours.
• If a lot of wood or coal is used in the vicinity of your organization, try to ventilate as much as possible when your neighbors are not using their stove or fireplace.

Tips

• Use a CO ₂ meter to see if you are ventilating enough and air. For example, with the help of a CO ₂ meter you can check whether it is sufficient to only ventilate along the traffic-calmed sides.
• Involve the users of your building in your ventilation policy. Make agreements together about opening windows and doors. Provide broad knowledge within your organization about how to properly ventilate and air.
• If you have a mechanical ventilation system, make sure it is properly adjusted and regularly maintained. Clean filters and grids regularly.

Knowing more

Sufficient ventilation and airing are important to remove moisture and harmful substances from the indoor air and to supply fresh outside air. Even if many people are present in a room, you must ventilate and ventilate sufficiently to remove CO ₂ and supply oxygen.

• Ventilation is done 24 hours a day through a ventilation system, through air vents, or by opening windows slightly.
• Airing is done by opening windows or an outside door wide for a short time. This is important for activities that release moisture or harmful substances, such as cleaning, cooking, crafts or showering.

More information

• Polluted air in the home and health (GGD Living Environment, the Netherlands)
• All tips & tricks about ventilation (Gezond Binnen, Netherlands)
• Ventilating and ventilating (Healthy Living, Flanders)
• Fresh air at school (Agency Care and Health, Flanders)
• Ventilation and air purification (RIVM, the Netherlands)