Page 26 - CIJ Feb 2025 - Digital Edition

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Risk of Cleaning Agents on IAQ

Green building tests fail to detect VOC impact

While green buildings prioritise sustainability, the cleaning products used can significantly impact air
purity. Bharat Panchal, Managing Director-Vikr Bioscience Pvt. Ltd explores the risks of conventional
cleaning agents, the benefits of green cleaning, and their role in improving IAQ

leaning agents are broadly lead to improved IAQ compared to buildings typically meet existing
categorized based on their conventional buildings, although IAQ standards. Formaldehyde
function, such as disinfectants results vary across different concentrations have remained
and surface care products. parameters. below proposed exposure limits in
CMany conventional cleaners four out of five years of assessment.
contain volatile organic compounds For instance, relative humidity Particulate matter (PM) levels also
(VOCs), which are defined as and carbon dioxide levels in green show some reduction compared to
substances with boiling points
ranging from 0°C to 400°C.
During cleaning, these compounds
are released into the air, leading
to short-term exposure risks for Know Your Facts
cleaning personnel. Additionally,
VOC levels can remain elevated Health effects of Pollutants disorders, lowers resistance to
long after cleaning, impacting colds and pneumonia
overall indoor air quality (IAQ) and NO2 Type: Immediate:
affecting occupants. Causes: irritation to the skin, Sources Of Indoor Air
eyes and throat, cough etc
Indoor environments also contain Contaminants
CO Type: Immediate;
a mix of volatile and non-volatile Causes: headache, shortness of Contaminated outdoor air
substances, including allergens. breath, higher conc. May cause • Pollen, dust, fungal spores
The volatile fraction may consist sudden deaths. • Industrial pollutants
of over 200 different VOCs, • General vehicle exhaust
including formaldehyde, while the VOCs Type: Immediate; Soil gas
non-volatile fraction often contains Causes: Liver, kidney
fatty acid salts and surfactants such disorders, irritation to the eyes, • Radon
as linear alkyl benzene sulfonates. nose and throat, skin rashes • Leakage from underground
These substances, originating and respiratory problems. drain, sewage etc
partly from cleaning products, RSPM Type: Cumulative, • Pesticides
are suspected airway irritants, Causes: Respiratory Illness • Bacteria produced due to
potentially leading to respiratory (upper and lower), Acute moisture
discomfort and health concerns. (Asthma) and chronic (COPD),
Indoor Air Quality in Green Lung cancer, Human activities
Buildings Pesticides Type: Immediate; • Smoking, cooking, body
Causes: Skin diseases odour, housekeeping
Indoor air quality is a
key focus in green building SO2 Type: Immediate; activities like cleaning
using toxic chemicals, air
design. Certification programs Causes: lung disorders and borne dust, dirt caused due
like Leadership in Energy & shortness of breath to sweeping, vacuuming,
Environmental Design (LEED) Asbestos Type: Cumulative; use of toxic cleaning
mandate IAQ measures, ensuring Causes: Lung cancer agents, use of aerosol
compliance with maximum O3 Type: Immediate; Causes: freshener to control bad
allowable concentrations of indoor eyes itch, burn, respiratory odour, and toxic sanitisers.
air pollutants. Studies suggest that
green building strategies generally
26 FEBRUARY 2025•Clean India Journal•www.cleanindiajournal.com