Dyson Air Quality Report shows it’s healthier for most to be outdoors than breathing their Indoor air!

The recent Dyson Air Quality Report showed it’s healthier for most to be outdoors than breathing their Indoor air! Dyson’s first Global Air Quality Connected Data project examined the Indoor Air Quality data from more than 2.5m connected Dyson air purifiers and here’s what you need to know;

• The UK experienced indoor air quality worse than outdoor for 11 months out of 12 in 2022
• Two-thirds of countries experienced higher annual average indoor PM2.5 levels compared to outdoor in 2022. UK sees average annual indoor PM2.5 levels 23% higher than outdoor PM2.5
• All countries’ monthly average indoor PM2.5 level exceeded WHO long-term exposure guidance for at least 6 months in the year. Among others, Canada, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands exceeded WHO guidance every month in the year
• Winter was the most polluted season in majority of geographies but London’s most polluted season was Spring. March and January were the months with the highest levels of indoor air pollution in the UK.
• In an average 24h period, the most polluted time (PM2.5) fell between 6pm and midnight, coinciding with times when people are usually in their homes, and therefore exposed to these higher pollutant levels

From a wealth of data, this project focuses on two types of pollutant – PM2.5, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

PM2.5 refers to particles as small as 2.5 microns in diameter; a typical human hair measures around 70 microns in diameter.

These particles are invisible to the naked eye, can be inhaled and are an area of increasing scientific and health research.

Sources include combustion – wood burners, or gas cooking and heating – pollens, pet dander and dust. VOCs are gas pollutants which include Benzene and Formaldehyde which are emitted from activities like cleaning or cooking as well as from products including deodorants and body sprays, candles, furniture and furnishings.