organic gases

Combustion is the main source of inorganic gases in indoor spaces. Another source is human breathing.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless and adourless gas emitted as a result of the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biofuels. In households, it usually comes from gas kitchens, boilers, tobacco smoke, or from outside, mainly because of vehicle traffic.

CO penetrates the body through the lungs, causing a decrease in the oxygen transport capacity of the blood, as it tries to transform to CO2. The effects are that it steals oxygen from the blood in detriment to oxygenation of organs and tissues, as well as cardiac dysfunction, damage of the nervous system, headache, dizziness, vomiting and fatigue.

Also, it has consequences on the climate, since it contributes to the formation of greenhouse gases: its average life in the atmosphere is about three months, which allows its slow oxidation to form carbon dioxide (CO2), process during which ozone (O3) is also generated.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colourless, odourless gas that forms in all those processes where combustion of carbon-containing substances takes place.

In non-industrial interiors its main focus is human breathing and smoking; although the levels of carbon dioxide can also be increased due to the existence of other combustion (kitchens and heating) or the proximity of traffic routes, garages or certain industries.

The concentration of carbon dioxide in an indoor environment can provide information on different aspects and circumstances of a building such as the possibility of harmful effects on the health of its inhabitants.

The main effects of this excess gas are oxygen removal. When the proportion of carbon dioxide in the air we breathe is 700ppm (0.07%), there are already symptoms of fatigue, loss of performance, headache and an increase in respiratory rate.