What is it?
Suspended particles are small solid or liquid particles that remain dispersed in the air for a certain time. They can vary greatly in size and come from natural sources or human activity.
They are classified by aerodynamic size —references to PM10, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles are common— and each fraction behaves differently within the indoor environment.
They are one of the chemical factors used to characterise air quality: their concentration depends on emission sources, ventilation, the activities carried out and the interaction with the outdoor air.
Where can it be found?
The main sources include household dust, combustion, cooking, fireplaces, candles, tobacco smoke, human activity, certain nearby industrial processes, road traffic, construction work and particulate matter from outdoors.
They can also be generated during cleaning or renovation work and remain suspended for a variable length of time.
How does it affect the space?
Their behaviour within a space depends on particle size, ventilation, air currents and the activities carried out in the building.
This explains why concentrations are not stable: the same room can behave very differently during cleaning, during renovation work or while cooking.
How is it assessed?
What the inspection looks at
The technical inspection identifies possible emission sources and examines the characteristics of the building.
What is recorded for each measurement
Equipment, quantity, unit, location, date, measurement conditions and duration, together with the relevant limitations and the interpretation criterion applied.
How this factor is measured
Measurements are taken with specialist professional instruments to record the concentration of suspended particles and, where the assessment requires it, to analyse how it behaves under different conditions.
Results are interpreted taking into account the activities carried out, the existing ventilation and the possible influence of outdoor sources.
In assessments intended as expert evidence, calibrated instruments are used to ensure the reliability and traceability of the measurements.
Criteria
Interpretation uses recognised technical references for indoor air quality and guidance values applicable to the particle size assessed.
The assessment takes into account the intended use of the building, the time occupants spend there and the full set of environmental parameters analysed.
This guide does not publish values or thresholds. Technical criteria, legal limits and recommendations are different things and are not presented as equivalent.
Improvement measures
Work always begins by understanding and, where possible, reducing the source, before acting on the path or on the space. Measures are prioritised by expected effect, feasibility and proportionality, and no products are recommended by default.
The action taken depends on the sources identified during the assessment. Options that may be considered include:
- Improving ventilation.
- Optimising filtration systems.
- Reducing emission sources.
- Improving cleaning procedures.
Recommendations are always made after an individual assessment.
How Cemprotecta helps
This factor is not assessed on its own. It is measured as part of an assessment that treats the space as a system, because concentrations change with activity, with ventilation and with what happens outside the building.
What an assessment gives you is knowing what is there, where it is and what can be done about it, with an ordered sequence of measures rather than a list of problems.
- Inspection of the space and of accessible installations.
- Measurement or sampling in the rooms where people spend most time.
- Combined interpretation with the other factors assessed.
- A report with measures ranked by their expected effect on exposure.
Request an assessment
If this factor concerns you in your home or workplace, tell us about your case. The prior inspection will determine whether it is worth measuring and what else should be assessed alongside it.