“Indoor generation” faces health threat

May 26 2018

A new generation of Canadians is spending up to 90 per cent of their time indoors, which can be unhealthy, according to Velux Group.
Velux, a major manufacturer of skylights and other fenestration, has unveiled the results of The Indoor Generation report—a survey that found an overwhelming misconception about the impact on personal health caused by spending too much time indoors, especially on children, whose bedrooms may be the most polluted room in the house.
A growing number of people now spend the vast majority of their time indoors compared to previous generations, the study found.
Everyday home life activities can contribute to polluted indoor air, which over time can lead to mould and damp homes, increasing the risk of asthma, respiratory diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Velux.
The survey also found a significant disconnect between how people think they live and how they actually do, with only 25 per cent of people in Canada saying they spend 21 hours or more inside. The actual figure is closer to 23 hours.
Peter Foldbjerg, head of daylight energy and indoor climate at Velux said, “We are increasingly turning into a generation of indoor people where the only time we get daylight and fresh air mid-week is on the commute to work or school.”
Velux has launched a short film called “The Indoor Generation” to raise awareness about the importance of living in healthy homes, and the small changes that everyone can make to improve their living environment and indoor air.