Air quality glossary

• Air Manager: The air manager is a smart high-end air purifier. It purifies the ambient air and allows you to analyse and control the air you breathe in real time. It also has a supervision system that allows you to remotely control your device(s). For more information, please click here.

• VOCs: VOCs, also known as Volatile Organic Compounds, are organic compounds present in the air in gaseous form that can be of anthropic origin (solvents, hydrocarbons, paints, glues) or natural (emissions from certain plants, coal, fermentation).

• CO2: CO2 or carbon dioxide, is a molecule present in gaseous form. Carbon dioxide is produced during the combustion process and is a powerful greenhouse gas. It is mainly found in industrial production, the automobile industry and even in the human metabolism.

• Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier is a device designed to reduce the humidity level in a room. The humidity level in a dwelling should be between 40 and 60%. If the humidity is too high, moisture in the air can lead to mould growth.

• Air flow rate: The air flow rate is the amount of air treated by the air purifier, often expressed in m³/h.

• HEPA H14 filter: The HEPA H14 or “high-efficiency particulate air” filter, is a filter that catches fine particles such as dust, mites, pollen, animal fur, bacteria and viruses. This filter is specially designed to purify the air and is standardised to guarantee maximum efficiency.

• ULPA U15 Filter: The ULPA 15 (12 microns) filter is a finer filter than the HEPA 15 filter (20 microns), used in hospitals to prevent the risk of contaminant propagation. It filters out viruses, bacteria and volatile particles. The ULPA 15 filter is also called an absolute filter.

• Humidifier: A humidifier is a device designed to increase the humidity level in a room. The humidity level in a dwelling should be between 40 and 60%. A humidifier can be paired with an air purifier, so your air is purified, and your rooms no longer feel too dry.

• Ionisation: Ionisation generates negative ions in large quantities. This natural air purification process causes fine particles to fall to the floor. In nature, negative ions are generated by natural processes such as lightning, waterfalls, etc.

• Night mode: Night mode is a mode available on NatéoSanté air purifiers. You can activate it by pressing for three seconds on the device’s ‘speed’ mode. It allows you to sleep next to the device without being disturbed by noise or light.

•  Active oxygen: Active oxygen is a function available on NatéoSanté air purifiers. This function can be turned on and off at will and allows you to treat your room thoroughly. This natural disinfectant eliminates bacteria, viruses, microbes and dust mites, thereby limiting the spread of mould, mildew and odours embedded in fabrics (tobacco, body odours, animals, kitchen). This function does have limitations. Active oxygen is a very effective cleaner, but like any household product, it must be used with caution. We therefore recommend that you stay out of your room for a few hours after switching on this function.

• Air purifier: An air purifier is a device designed to improve air quality. It is used to destroy pollutants present in the air and to limit the spread of harmful residues, thus improving indoor air quality. Air purifiers can be used in homes or workplaces.

• PM2.5: PM2.5 are solid particles carried by water or air. These particles mainly come from combustion (fires, wildfires, wood burning, fossil fuels in vehicles) and have a harmful effect on health since they penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation and worsening health to people already suffering from serious respiratory problems.

• Pollution in your home: The sources of pollution in your home are numerous but often neglected because they are invisible. The main pollutants are found all over your home. Here are a few examples: Biocontaminants (allergens, living beings, animals, mites), humidity (ventilation defects, mould), deodorants (parabens, cosmetics, aerosols), odours, pollen, treated wood, etc.

• Fine particles: Fine particles are airborne particles. They are solid and carried either by air or water. A large number of fine particles in the air poses a health risk with a direct negative impact on life expectancy (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, lung problems).

• Purify the air: Purifying the air in a room is about improving the quality of the air you breathe and destroying pollutants that may be harmful to health. Tobacco, humidity, mould, paint, carpet and more—these are all sources of indoor air pollution. Eliminating them allows you to breathe healthily indoors. Air is purified using an air purifier.

• Photocatalysis: Photocatalysis is a function available on air purifiers. It eliminates polluting particles (VOCs) through an oxidation and then reduction reaction between the catalyst and the UV lamp. Photocatalysis complements the activated carbon: the latter absorbs the gases (fumes, exhaust gases, odours, formaldehyde, etc.) while the former destroys them.

• Humidity levels: Humidity levels play an important role in indoor air quality. Humidity should be between 40% and 60% to ensure your comfort in your home. It is important to concern yourself with this level in your home since the balance between air temperature and humidity affects your health—too low and your air becomes too dry, too high and micro-organisms proliferate.