In UK residential construction and retrofit contexts, stale air describes degraded indoor air quality resulting from insufficient ventilation.
This condition manifests through measurable pollutant accumulation:
- CO₂ Concentration: Frequently exceeds 1,000 parts per million in poorly ventilated homes (contrasting with 400 ppm outdoor levels)
- Chemical Contaminants: Includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from materials like medium-density fibreboard and synthetic floor coverings
- Biological Factors: Microbial VOCs from damp issues prevalent in pre-1919 housing stock (35% of UK homes)
- Particulates: Aggravated by traditional heating methods still found in 23% of English properties
Health & Comfort Impacts
Short-term exposure typically causes:
- Perceived stuffiness and odour retention
- Acute symptoms like concentration difficulties
Chronic exposure risks include:
- Worsening asthma (affects 8 million UK residents)
- Sick building syndrome patterns