We're the indoor generation. The way our story ends is up to you...
DISTURBING FACTS:
We have managed to isolate ourselves from the uncertainties and discomfort of the natural world, but in far too many ways it has proved to be a hollow victory.
We spend 90% of our time indoors without enough daylight or fresh air. We don’t think about it any more – but science has shown that this can be harmful to our health and wellbeing. Our homes are so well insulated that not enough fresh air and daylight can get in.
Today, 84 million Europeans currently live in buildings so damp and mouldy that they are a potential threat to physical and mental wellbeing. The resulting poor indoor air can provoke a whole range of illnesses from headaches and sore eyes to allergies, asthma – and worse. People are 40% more likely to have asthma when living in a damp and mouldy home.
Lack of direct sunlight causes health issues such as vitamin D deficiency, which can contribute to feelings of tiredness, fatigue and low mood. Experts estimate that up to 30% of the world’s population suffer from different levels of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter depression) linked to reduced exposure to sunlight.
Without action, these problems are only going to get worse. That’s why it’s so important for all of us to re-think the way we live.
A FRESH APPROACH IS NEEDED!
FACT FILE:
We spend 90% of our time indoors
European Commission (2003) - Indoor air pollution: new EU research reveals higher risk than previously thought
Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside
US Environmental Protection Agency - Importance of Indoor Air Quality
77% are unaware that indoor air can more polluted
YouGov (2018) - The Indoor Generation Report
Children’s bedrooms can often be the most polluted rooms in the house
Danish Eco Council (2016) - Frisk luft og mindre kemi i børneværelser
Up to 45% of all children's bedrooms have much too high levels of carbon dioxide due to insufficient ventilation
Danish Eco Council (2016) - Frisk luft og mindre kemi i børneværelser
Living in damp and mouldy homes increases our chance of asthma by 40 per cent
IBP Fraunhofer (2016) - European Indoor Environment has impact on Health and Performance
Only 18 per cent of people believe they spend 21 hours or more inside, when previous research suggests we spend 90 per cent of our day indoors
YouGov (2018) - The Indoor Generation Report / WHO Europe 2013 report / US Environmental Protection Agency
1 out of 6 Europeans lives in an unhealthy building
VELUX A/S (2017) - Healthy Homes Barometer
Today, 84 million Europeans currently live in buildings so damp and mouldy that they are a potential threat to physical and mental wellbeing
VELUX press release (16.11.16) - Respiratory illness cost European governments 82 Billios euros per year
The resulting poor indoor air can provoke a whole range of illnesses from headaches and sore eyes to allergies, asthma - and worse
VELUX A/S (2017) - Healthy Homes Barometer 2017
Lack of direct sunlight causes health issues such as vitamin D deficiency, which can contribute to feelings of tiredness, fatigue and low mood
NHS UK (2015) - How to get vitamin D from sunlight
Experts estimate that up to 30% of the world's population suffer from different levels of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
The Independent (2014) - Seasonal Affective Disorder: 1 in 3 people suffer from SAD
65% of all Europeans dry clothes indoor at least once a week, giveing off damp.
VELUX press release (24.03.15) - Fresh air at home more important than exercise
Approximately ten litres of liquid is produced by the average family every day.
British Standard (2002) - Code of Practice for Control of Condensation in Buildings, 2002
Scientific research has proved the links between lack of daylight and a variety of physical and mental problems
VELUX A/S (2014) - DEIC Basic book
Vitamin D deficiency, has been linked to problems like tiredness, fatigue and increased vulnerability to disease
VELUX A/S (2018) - Circadian House: Principles and guidelines for Healthy Homes
Artificial light can disrupt our body clock, which can lead to concentration issues, high blood pressure - and more
VELUX A/S (2014) - Daylight & Architecture Magazine 22: Sleep, Work, Live
Most scientists agree that being exposed to two hours of daylight per day is a great boost to our mental wellbeing
VELUX A/S (2014) - Daylight & Architecture Magazine 22: Sleep, Work, Live
Young adults have a delayed biological clock and often find it hard to get up in the mornings
VELUX A/S (2014) - Daylight & Architecture Magazine 22: Sleep, Work, Live
Daylight can improve children's learning abilities by up to 15%
UPMC / INSERM (2016) - Impact of Lighting on School Performance in European Classrooms.
