Dogs Significantly Change Air In Homes, Say Swiss Scientists

The researchers see the results as a basis for more realistic models of indoor air, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) said on Monday. The influence of humans on the air has been well researched. However, the researchers say that the impact of pets has hardly been considered to date.

According to the study, a large dog at rest emits about the same amount of CO2 as an adult human. The amount of ammonia emitted is also comparable. This gas is produced when proteins are broken down and is released via the skin and the air we breathe.

According to the data, however, dogs had the greatest influence on particles in the air. By shaking, scratching or stroking, they stir up large quantities of dust, pollen, plant residues and microbes. Large dogs release two to four times more microorganisms than a human in the same room.

The animals act as mobile“carriers”, transporting biological material from the outside to the inside and distributing it throughout the room through their activities. However, this increased variety of particles in the interior is not necessarily negative, according to the researchers. Some studies suggest that contact with various microbes can promote the development of the immune system, especially in children.

This content was published on Sep 25, 2024 More Swiss companies are thinking about whether to accept dogs in the workplace.