"Beat air pollution": World Environment Day on 5 June organized by the UN, addresses one of the major environmental challenges of our time. The commitment of China, the host country for the 2019 World Environment Day celebrations, serves as an inspiration to countries across the world.
To mark the publication of the results of an Elabe study conducted for Veolia in France, Belgium and Shanghai (China), the Group Chairman and CEO Antoine Frérot unveils a new offering to improve indoor air quality.
Air pollution: invisible, imperceptible, urgent.
Nine out of ten people are exposed to levels of air pollutants that exceed those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO): as the world's fourth-highest mortality risk factor, air pollution probably caused over eight million premature deaths in 2016, nearly half of which (3.8 million) were due to poor quality indoor air (WHO 2018)... Contrary to popular belief, the air we breathe inside buildings is up to 8 times more polluted than that outside - and we spend 85% of our time in enclosed spaces.
The Elabe study on this topic conducted for Veolia in France, Belgium and Shanghai, however, found that one in two French people, and more than 60% of the people in Belgium and Shanghai that were questioned, are unaware that there is more air pollution inside buildings than there is outside. In France, for example, the air being breathed in 60% of housing and 34% of tertiary premises is poor quality (source OQAI).
But although indoor air pollution is a complex problem, it can be immediately addressed with quick and tangible results.
Veolia undertakes to guarantee the air quality inside buildings.
Today, on World Environment Day, the Group therefore announces the launch of a new integrated offering. A pioneer, it covers the entire value chain, making it possible to consider the specificities and needs of every type of customer.
A comprehensive offering covering the entire indoor air quality value chain
Veolia's commercial offering is divided into several levels of services: Air Control, Air Performance and Air Human.
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AIR Control continuously assesses air quality and offers appropriate solutions: it gives customers information about the quality of indoor air to become players in their environment thanks to potential sources of pollution being identified and solutions being offered. Veolia uses 3 sensors that were qualified by Airlab in 2018.
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AIR Performance manages and optimizes installations with guaranteed results and performance monitoring. Veolia already operates 42,000 installations requiring air treatment and has 23 Hubgrade performance management centres around the world.
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AIR Human involves stakeholders in improving the air quality of buildings. It makes the occupants, employees and users "actors" in improving air quality, thanks to accessible and comprehensible information. It is a question of involving users by taking their impressions into account with a "well-being" indicator for air quality.
Results of the indoor air pollution survey in Paris, Belgium and Shanghai
IN FRANCE
93% of inhabitants are aware of the impact of air quality on health,
52% are surprised to learn that they are more exposed inside their homes and in buildings,
75% think that the air inside their home is good quality,
55% think they are poorly informed about what to do to improve indoor air quality,
8 out of 10 think that the solution will come from mobilizing all stakeholders (governments, industry, employees).
IN BELGIUM
92% of inhabitants are aware of the impact of air quality on health,
60% are surprised to learn that they are more exposed inside their homes and in buildings,
75% think that the air inside their home is good quality,
65% think they are poorly informed about what to do to improve indoor air quality,
8 out of 10 Belgians think that the solution will come from mobilizing all stakeholders (governments, industry, employees).
IN SHANGHAI (CHINA)
More than 97% of Shanghai inhabitants are aware of the impact of air quality on health,
62% are surprised to learn that they are more exposed to air pollution indoors.
88% think that the air inside their home is good quality,
Only 24% think they are poorly informed about what to do to improve indoor air quality,
9 out of 10 people in Shanghai think that the solution will come from mobilizing all stakeholders (governments, industry, employers)
Elabe study conducted for Veolia in April 2019.
