Living in healthy spaces thanks to healthy materials

In closed environments, the risk of infections carried by droplets of saliva is greater than outdoors due to the lack of air exchange or the insufficient supply of fresh air.

Depending on the particle size, a distinction is made between larger droplets and smaller aerosols.

While larger droplets fall rapidly to the ground, aerosols (which are released into the air when we breathe or speak) can float in the air for long periods of time, up to 12 hours, and be distributed indoors.

Aerosols therefore represent a particular health risk. The measures ⁽¹⁾ that help reduce the concentration of infectious aerosols, and which represent an important contribution to health protection, are:
— massive structures;
— external insulation;
— breathable plasters and products that regulate air purity

Indoor air quality is determined by several factors:
— physical: humidity, temperature, etc.;
— biological: molds, viruses, bacteria, etc.;
— chemicals: VOCs, plasticizers, artificial fragrances and

To these factors is also added the number of ions, which are a natural component found in the air. The higher the concentration of the ions, the fresher and cleaner the air is perceived

Baumit's research and experience in this field has recently led to the development of a highly innovative solution to offer excellent indoor air quality; this is Baumit Ionit, the the only functional coating system that actively regulates humidity and increases the concentration of ions in the air inside the rooms and that constantly and significantly reduces the diffusion of aerosols present in the ambient air.

Ionit interior paint by Baumit is designed to purify air and regulate environmental humidity, thanks to the raw material that continuously generates new ions.

The Fraunhofer Institute in Vienna has conducted numerous tests on the product, analyzing its influence on pollen and fine dust, through a comparative measurement: the Ionit product has proven capable of reducing the contamination present in the indoor air by up to 90% in a single hour.

With comparative tests conducted by the Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik (IBP), it has been found that in a room painted with the IonitColor product, the concentration of liposomal aerosols (non-infectious particles similar to viruses, used as a study model) is reduced by up to 60% of the particles within 90 minutes, compared to an identical room not treated with active paint.

Just like nature, Baumit IonitColor paint gives its ionic contribution to those closed environments where ions are present in scarce quantities. This mineral-based product free of harmful substances doubles the number of ions naturally present in the air, significantly improving ambient air quality

This is the operating process: in the air there are droplets of water; when they come into contact with the paint and with the mineral matrix that composes it, these particles are electrically “charged”, turning into ions.

It has been scientifically proven that these ions act on dust like natural magnets, that is, they bind fine dust, pollen and even aerosols present in the air and cause them to precipitate to the ground.

higher the presence of ions, the more harmful substances will be captured. The result is that we can breathe cleaner air. Here are some of the benefits that ions offer to human health:
— they help the immune system;
— promote physical regeneration and concentration;
— they reduce allergic reactions;
— they reduce the potential risk of infection (this is the most recent discovery).

The application cycle

To allow IonitColor to best develop its positive effect, it is important that the ambient humidity is maintained at an optimal level, between 40 and 60%. This is why Baumit has developed the two plasters IonitFinish and IonitFino for traditional plastered and plasterboard walls. These two products help to regulate ambient humidity, keeping walls dry

The application of the products is very simple, thanks to their excellent workability. However, it is important to apply both IonItFinish and IonItFino products in 2 coats, to achieve the minimum required thickness

The final treatment with IonitColor must then be carried out with a roller or brush but also, if necessary, with an airless technique. Here, too, it is recommended to apply the product in two coats, to maximize its effect

The system can be adopted both on new structures and in restoration interventions.
Both IonitColor and IonitFinish have been awarded the Natureplus quality label, which guarantees that both products meet the strictest requirements in terms of climate protection, thus representing the ideal finishing treatment for healthy indoor environments

(1) These results were derived from the Viva-park research project, promoted and developed by Baumit in 2015.

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