Debunking the Outside Fresh Air Myth: What’s Really in the Air You Breathe?

Stepping outside for some fresh or clean air is regularly cited as the best way to clear our lungs, rejuvenate ourselves, and remain healthy. However, recent studies into outside air quality have revealed a staggering insight: 

The air we breathe outside may not be as good for us as we’re led to believe. 

Indeed, when proper air filtration and ventilation systems are in place, remaining indoors can be much cleaner and healthier for our insides. 

This article examines the myth of fresh air outdoors and reveals what you’re actually breathing in during your daily constitutional.

Polluted air is a significant cause of disease and death globally, especially in highly polluted areas where long-term exposure has led to severe health issues. Common conditions include cardiovascular diseases, asthma, lung cancer and other respiratory problems.

Estimates by the World Health Organisation suggest that 4.2 million premature deaths globally were caused by ambient air pollution in 2016.

Dangerous pollutants in outdoor air include:

These pollutants come from various sources, such as exhaust emissions, manufacturing activity, and natural disasters such as wildfires, as recently seen in Los Angeles in early 2025.

While many believe fresh outdoor air is better for us than stuffy indoor spaces, the reality is more complex. Both indoor and outdoor air have challenges that can affect quality.

Let’s explore these in more detail.

Some of the most common factors affecting indoor air quality include:

Meanwhile, factors affecting the quality of outdoor air include:

It is easier to improve indoor air quality through individual action rather than the collective effort required to mitigate the worst of outdoor air quality.

HVAC for commercial buildings is critical for managing indoor air quality. In addition to regulating temperature and humidity in internal areas, HVAC systems filter and circulate clean air throughout the building.

Effective HVAC systems remove particulate matter and other pollutants from the air while maintaining good humidity levels to prevent mould growth and the circulation of airborne bacteria.

Meanwhile, HVAC systems also introduce fresh, filtered air from outdoors while removing stale indoor air and distributing this clean, healthy air evenly throughout the building.

As a result, effective HVAC for commercial buildings help make your indoor areas cleaner, safer, and healthier than polluted outdoor areas. But what if you end up with a leaky HVAC?

Advanced modern commercial air filtration systems, such as Rensair’s air purifiers, use multi-stage filtration incorporating cutting-edge, innovative technologies.

These include:

These technologies allow commercial air filtration systems to effectively remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns and neutralise other harmful microorganisms. 

According to the U.S. EPA, indoor air quality can be 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air, which forces HVAC systems to draw in more outdoor air—a highly energy-intensive process. However, outdoor air is not as fresh or clean as commonly assumed, placing additional strain on HVAC systems to filter pollutants and increasing energy consumption. This is where Rensair’s patented Smart Demand Controlled Ventilation (SDCV) technology provides a game-changing solution, replacing costly mechanical ventilation with highly efficient air purification that consumes nine times less ventilation energy, significantly reducing overall building energy consumption.

In addition, they can autonomously monitor indoor air quality with Rensair Cloud, an IoT based indoor air quality management platform, and adjust settings as required to help maintain optimal air quality without increasing energy consumption. This capability allows your business to enjoy excellent indoor air without compromising your commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability.

If you’re wondering how you can help your employees enjoy the benefits of high-quality indoor air, consider following these strategies:

The notion of outdoor air being “fresh air” is often no more than a myth, especially in built-up urban environments. With proper filtration, effective HVAC for commercial buildings and modern commercial air filtration systems, indoor environments can offer people genuinely clean and healthy air.

In a commercial setting, this can significantly benefit your business and employees. For example, cleaner air helps staff produce more while remaining healthy and reducing the likelihood of absenteeism due to sickness. This focus on helping improve their well-being will see employees stay engaged and loyal.

If you want to understand how to maximise your commercial space’s indoor air quality, contact us today for an assessment and begin your journey towards a clean and healthy indoor working environment.