11 replies to this topic

[Luminiferous]

I like the feeling of seclusion when the windows are closed in my room but it feels like the air isn't fresh.

I usually have a PC or TV and playstation on and I always wondered if this is the reason why my room feels like it has decreased oxygen within 15-30 minutes of closing my window.

Could this have an impact on my health if I sit for many hours each day in a room that has its windows closed and the air "feels" to lack oxygen?

I don't even know if it lacks oxygen, it just feels to be unfresh and has a particular smell.

I vacuum my room once every 1-2 weeks, and sometimes use a towel to clean the table. Should I be doing any other form of cleaning?
Maybe my room is nasty, which causes the smell? Or is it because of the PC? Have certain particles entered my table, or floor or walls or roof?

[platypus]

I think it's the CO2 you're feeling, not oxygen. if you want less oxygen, climb on a mountain.

[Luminiferous]

I want the oxygen. I just want to know if there are health concerns if I keep the windows closed for many hours with PC / monitor, tv etc on.

[niner]

I think there are health concerns from being in a room with a PC, monitor and TV on, whether the windows are open or closed.

[Mr Matsubayashi]

This:
http://www.plantairpurifier.com/

:D

I borrowed an oxygen meter from work, cooped myself in my room overnight (computer, windows and door closed) and O2 levels measured normal in the morning were the same.

[Turnbuckle]

Even with the windows and doors closed, there is air getting in and out. And even if there were none, it would take a very long time to burn up substantial oxygen. A 10x20x10 foot room contains 2,000 cubic feet, of which 400 cubic feet is pure oxygen. An adult will use around 20 cubic feet per day, or 5% of the total. And in half an hour, it would be only 0.1%. There's no way you could notice, so what your room really lacks, most likely, is a good squirt of Febreze.

[renfr]

I have about the same problem as you, my room is filled up with electronic devices whom I suspect my computer fan to damage ambient air quality.
I think the smell is due to heated up air coming out of the computer and not because oxygen is decreasing.
If we extrapolate, we can say that computer generate hot air, hot air causes dilation of your vessels and opens up your pores which causes toxin release, it might be farfetched to say toxins are responsible of the smell but my experience tells me it could be true. (in winter I don't get that as opposed to spring and summer)

Anyway concerning oxygen don't worry about it there's plenty enough and your computer isn't depleting your room of oxygen.

But I would advise to open up your windows once a day for 10 minutes.

[Luminiferous]

Is there a plant of some kind we can use?

Also on side note, if we smoke inside the room with windows closed... and then later open the windows... will there still be anything of the smoke or substance stuck in the room? Like will it attach itself to the walls or tables?

[Turnbuckle]

Also on side note, if we smoke inside the room with windows closed... and then later open the windows... will there still be anything of the smoke or substance stuck in the room? Like will it attach itself to the walls or tables?

Have you ever been in a smoky bar and come home with your clothes smelling of it? So yeah. Those particles will stick around for a long time.

[JohnD60]

Even with the windows and doors closed, there is air getting in and out. And even if there were none, it would take a very long time to burn up substantial oxygen. A 10x20x10 foot room contains 2,000 cubic feet, of which 400 cubic feet is pure oxygen. An adult will use around 20 cubic feet per day, or 5% of the total. And in half an hour, it would be only 0.1%. There's no way you could notice, so what your room really lacks, most likely, is a good squirt of Febreze.

Yea, but the OP is from the Neatherlands. Have you ever been to an IKEA?, his room is probably about the size of bathroom stall 3'x'6'x6', so 108 cu ft. total

[Layberinthius]

I have about the same problem as you, my room is filled up with electronic devices whom I suspect my computer fan to damage ambient air quality.
I think the smell is due to heated up air coming out of the computer and not because oxygen is decreasing.
If we extrapolate, we can say that computer generate hot air, hot air causes dilation of your vessels and opens up your pores which causes toxin release, it might be farfetched to say toxins are responsible of the smell but my experience tells me it could be true. (in winter I don't get that as opposed to spring and summer)

Anyway concerning oxygen don't worry about it there's plenty enough and your computer isn't depleting your room of oxygen.

But I would advise to open up your windows once a day for 10 minutes.

What you are worried about is a thing called "outgassing" the interior of cars do it aswell, which causes the scent of "new car smell".

What you DO NOT want to be breathing in is hot or overheated (ie, from cheap electronics) LEAD and mercury vapours.

Compact Fluorescents will give off lead vapours aswell, but the mercury vapours are enclosed inside of the glass, what you DO NOT want to happen however is for you to crack this glass while it is turned on, or even if its turned off, as the mercury vapor, even a small amount will get into the air of your room and eventually cover a large portion of your carpet or wherever it landed onto.

The best method of cleaning up mercury vapor spills is with baby wipes or with a wet tea towel and a dust broom, while you are wearing gloves, DO NOT VACUUM as that will spread the mercury EVERYWHERE.

And the contents inside of electrolytic capacitors are toxic aswell, they vent very gradually as they age, however if the electronic device is cheaply made then it will vent them much faster.

Dont ever damage or destroy CRT television sets or monitors inside of your home or even outside either, as they contain an even larger amount of mercury vapor, hell even the outside of the picture tube/CRT tube is coated in a thin layer of lead powder.

I would recommend that you keep a window slightly open or ajar for a predetermined period of time during the day and to lock it in place with a sturdy window lock so theives cannot jump in and steal your stuff..

Its either that or buying a proper room air cleaner with a HEPA grade paper filter and a charcoal bag filter and leaving that on all of the time or only a couple of hours a day or night.

Edited by Layberinthius, 17 November 2013 - 04:34 AM.

[blood]

Could this have an impact on my health if I sit for many hours each day in a room that has its windows closed and the air "feels" to lack oxygen?

Surprised no one's commented on the dangers of sitting & sedentary behaviour - probably far more of a risk to your health than stale air.