{"id":145769,"date":"2025-12-08T13:27:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T11:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/our-advice\/89-of-french-people-underestimate-air-pollution-in-their-workplace\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T14:23:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:23:41","slug":"89-of-french-people-underestimate-air-pollution-in-their-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/presse\/89-of-french-people-underestimate-air-pollution-in-their-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"89% of French people underestimate air pollution in their workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n
\n 89%<\/span>\n underestimate indoor air pollution at work<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 22%<\/span>\n only know that air quality is a legal obligation of the employer<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 5,601<\/span>\n people surveyed across six major business sectors<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n \n
\n Press release<\/span>\n December 8, 2025 \u2014 Paris<\/span>\n <\/div>\n

89% of French people underestimate air pollution in their workplace…<\/h1>\n\n \n

What do you think of the air quality in your workplace?<\/em> This is the question that OberA asked 5,601 people<\/strong> across six major business sectors*. A survey that shows the majority of employees underestimate indoor air pollution, are poorly informed about health risks, and are largely unaware of their employer’s legal obligations. <\/p>\n\n \n

French people misjudge air quality<\/h2>\n\n
\n 57 %<\/span>\n
\n find the air in their workplace to be “very” or “fairly” good quality in winter<\/strong>\n

A far cry from reality \u2014 all studies agree that indoor air quality can pose significant health risks, even without any smell or apparent discomfort.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

Nearly 1 in 3 people (29%) still consider the air in their workplace to be poor, a sign that discomfort is already noticeable in many environments. Above all, 14% say they have never asked themselves the question<\/strong>, confirming a major gap between employees’ perceptions and the reality of air-quality issues at work. <\/p>\n\n

\n
In winter, would you say the air quality in your work environment is:<\/div>\n \n \n
Answer<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Very good<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>21 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Fairly good<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>36 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Fairly poor<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>23 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Very poor<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>6 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know \/ I have never asked myself the question<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>14 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

What are the existing systems in companies used for?<\/h2>\n\n
\n 65 %<\/span>\n
\n wrongly believe that their heating, air conditioning, or ventilation systems filter or purify the air<\/strong>\n

Most of this equipment is not designed to eliminate pollutants without a dedicated treatment device.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

More clear-eyed, 23% believe they “only heat or cool”<\/strong>, and 12% admit they do not know how it works, reflecting a general lack of clarity about the real role of these installations.<\/p>\n\n

\n
In your opinion, the systems in your workplace (heating, air conditioning, mechanical ventilation):<\/div>\n \n \n
Answer<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Purify the air and make it healthier<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>34 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Filter the air a little, but that is not their main function<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>31 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Only heat\/cool the air, without purifying it<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>23 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know how it works<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>12 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

Very inconsistent monitoring<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n 60%<\/span><\/span>\n do not know if air quality is measured in their premises (29% “no, never” + 31% “never informed”)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 14%<\/span><\/span>\n only indicate regular monitoring<\/strong> of air quality<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

Nearly one in two employees does not know if air quality is measured in their premises: 29% answer “no, never” and 31% state they have never been informed that it could be measured. Only 14% indicate regular monitoring<\/strong>, even though measuring CO\u2082, particles, or VOCs is now considered an essential lever for ensuring a healthy and productive work environment.<\/p>\n\n

\n
Do you know whether air quality (CO\u2082, fine particles, fumes, VOCs, industrial dust, etc.) is measured or monitored in your professional environment?<\/div>\n \n \n
Answer<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Yes, regularly<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>14 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Yes, but only occasionally<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>26 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
No, never<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>29 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know \/ I wasn’t aware it could be measured<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>31 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

Companies with little concern<\/h2>\n\n
\n 12 %<\/span>\n
\n only believe that indoor air quality is a real priority in their company<\/strong>\n

37% hardly ever talk about it and 27% have no idea how the subject is managed \u2014 meaning nearly 2 out of 3 employees are in the dark.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

In most companies, indoor air quality remains far behind safety or ergonomics: only 12% of French people believe it is a real priority<\/strong>. Conversely, 37% hardly ever talk about it and 27% have no idea how the subject is managed, leaving nearly 2 out of 3 employees in the dark. <\/p>\n\n

\n
In your opinion, in your company, indoor air quality in winter is considered…<\/div>\n \n \n
Answer<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
An important priority, on the same level as safety or ergonomics<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>12 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
A topic that is discussed sometimes, but with no visible action<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>24 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
A topic that is hardly ever discussed<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>37 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I have no idea how it is managed<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>27 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

What is healthy air?<\/h2>\n\n
\n 64 %<\/span>\n
\n think they can judge air quality based on simple subjective impressions<\/strong>\n

Absence of smell, visible smoke, or complaints \u2014 without any objective measurement. Only 25% cite the measurement of pollutants as the correct indicator. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

This gap fuels a false sense of safety in many work environments, even though indoor air quality is measured precisely using sensors and dedicated diagnostics<\/strong>, and is a major issue for health and performance in companies.<\/p>\n\n

\n
To know whether the air in your premises is healthy, what do you think is the best indicator?<\/div>\n \n \n
Indicator<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
If there is no unpleasant smell<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>34 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Measuring certain pollutants (CO\u2082, VOCs, particles, etc.) with a suitable device<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>25 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
If there is no visible smoke or dust<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>23 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>11 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
If no one complains (no headaches, no discomfort)<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>7 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

A lack of knowledge on the subject<\/h2>\n\n

Very few French people know the parameters used to measure indoor air quality. While temperature (91%) and relative humidity (76%) are widely identified, only 64% cite CO\u2082, 38% fine particles, and barely 5% know VOCs<\/strong>, even though these pollutants are at the heart of professional air quality diagnostics. Nearly 1 in 10 respondents even state they do not know any of the measurement parameters. <\/p>\n\n

\n
Which of these parameters do you know are used to measure indoor air quality? (multiple answers possible)<\/div>\n \n \n
Parameter<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Temperature<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>91 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Relative humidity<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>76 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
CO\u2082 (carbon dioxide)<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>64 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Fine particles (PM2.5 \/ PM10)<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>38 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
None of these terms mean anything to me<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>9 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>5 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

Indoor air pollution is greatly underestimated<\/h2>\n\n
\n 89 %<\/span>\n
\n underestimate indoor air pollution in professional environments or have no idea of its level<\/strong>\n

Only 11% know that it can be 5 to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air, as confirmed by OQEI data.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

In detail, 63% think that indoor air is less, as, or only slightly more polluted than outdoors<\/strong>, and 26% had never asked themselves the question. This massive gap between perception and reality illustrates how indoor air pollution remains an invisible risk, even though it is recognized as a major public health and workplace prevention issue. <\/p>\n\n

\n
In your opinion, indoor air in professional environments is:<\/div>\n \n \n
Perceived pollution level<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
A little more polluted, but not that much<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>28 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know \/ I had never asked myself the question<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>26 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
About as polluted<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>23 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Less polluted than outdoor air<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>12 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
5 to 10 times more polluted<\/strong> (reality)<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>11 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n \n

What about the law?<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n 22%<\/span><\/span>\n clearly know that air quality is a regulatory obligation<\/strong> for the employer<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 49%<\/span><\/span>\n do not know or think it is not a legal obligation<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

These results also reveal real confusion regarding labor law: only 22% of respondents clearly know that maintaining healthy indoor air is a regulatory obligation for the employer<\/strong>. While 29% consider it “probably true”, nearly 1 in 2 employees (49%) do not know or think it is not an obligation. <\/p>\n\n

\n
In your opinion, is maintaining healthy indoor air a regulatory obligation for the employer?<\/div>\n \n \n
Answer<\/th>Result<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Probably true<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>29 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Yes, that is absolutely true<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>22 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
I don’t know whether it is true or false<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>25 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Probably false, I don’t think it is an obligation<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>15 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n
Completely false<\/td>
<\/div><\/div>9 %<\/span><\/div><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n
<\/div>\n\n \n
\n

“This survey highlights a crucial point: the gap between what experts recommend \u2013 structured and regular monitoring of indoor air quality \u2013 and the reality on the ground, where monitoring remains largely marginal, or even invisible to employees. However, the Labor Code clearly requires employers to guarantee healthy air and prevent risks related to indoor pollution (notably articles L4121-1 and R4222-1). This discrepancy between the legal framework and employee perception shows that air quality remains a true blind spot in corporate prevention culture.”<\/p>\n

\n Thibaut SAMSEL<\/span>\n CEO and founder of OberA<\/span>\n <\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n\n \n

\n

* Methodology<\/h3>\n

Survey conducted among a representative sample of 5,601 people<\/strong> residing in France, aged 18 and over. Online survey conducted in November 2025 via the BuzzPress respondent panel (27,700 people surveyed electronically by email and on Facebook and LinkedIn). <\/p>\n

Responses compiled and weighted according to pre-established quotas aimed at ensuring the representativeness of the sample, based on administrative data and data collected by INSEE.<\/p>\n

Company profiles:<\/strong> Personal services (28%) \u00b7 Business services (23%) \u00b7 Public\/parapublic sector (19%) \u00b7 Industry\/production (16%) \u00b7 Construction\/Civil engineering (7%) \u00b7 Transport\/logistics (6%)<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

They talked about us!<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\"press<\/a>
PRESS AGENCY<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"horizonviesante<\/a>
HORIZON VIE ET SANTE<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"news<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"lyftv<\/a>
LYF TV NEWS<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"cropped<\/a>
CATEGORYNET<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\"esteval<\/a>
ESTEVAL<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"therm
THERMPRESSE<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"terrefutur<\/a>
TERRE FUTUR<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"inrs<\/a>
INRS DOCUMENTATION PORTAL<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pollution that can be 5 to 10 times higher than outdoors. Only 22% of employees know that maintaining healthy indoor air is a regulatory obligation for the employer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"980","_seopress_titles_title":"Study: Air pollution in workplaces","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1003],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145769"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154222,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145769\/revisions\/154222"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=145769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/obera.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=145769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}