Indoor air quality

As the owner or landlord of a property, the city has a key responsibility for the comfort and safety of the premises and indoor conditions. In matters related to indoor air quality, the city’s goal is preventive action.

Indoor air quality affects the wellbeing of users and work efficiency. Indoor air problems can lower the comfort of users and cause illnesses or symptoms. Indoor air quality is a common issue for all users of the space and something that everyone can influence.

Good indoor air quality is made possible by:

  • right temperature
  • sufficient ventilation
  • lack of draft
  • good acoustics
  • correctly selected, low-emission materials
  • cleanliness and ease of cleaning
  • good condition of structures.

Outdoor air quality, cleaning products, fragrances, dust from animals and cigarette smoke also affect indoor air quality.

Good indoor air quality is affected by practices in the maintenance and servicing of the building and the solving of issues that may arise. Indoor air problems can be solved quickly if their cause is easily found and repairs can be carried out within the city’s budget. Solving an indoor air problem can take a long while if the cause of the problem is difficult to pinpoint or requires multiple surveys to identify or new investment funds are needed for the repairs.

In matters related to indoor air quality, the city’s goal is preventive action. This is achieved through, among other measures, regular and careful maintenance, continuous monitoring of property conditions and regular user surveys about symptoms.

Report an indoor air quality issue

Suspected issues with indoor air quality may come to the attention of the city from city employees or other users of a building. If you suspect an issue with indoor air quality, report your observation using the indoor air notification form. Indoor air notifications are reviewed by the Working Group for Indoor Air Quality.

Indoor air notification form (in Finnish)