“Indoor air pollution is the primary cause of Sick Building Syndrome and the associated discomfort, ill health, and reduced productivity. Indoor air quality is a public health concern that is receiving increasing attention, in part, because people are spending a higher proportion of their time indoors. The problem is exacerbated by the tendency for new buildings to have air conditioning, which requires a semi-sealed environment to operate efficiently. This, in effect, traps the pollutants inside. Common indoor air pollutants associated with health hazards include formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide, and various oxides of nitrogen. Formaldehyde can be introduced to indoor air by emissions from certain building materials and furniture, while sulphur and nitrogen oxides are by-products of combustion processes (e.g. gas stoves and heaters).

‍Wool is composed of a diverse range of proteins and lipids, which impart a unique set of chemical and physical properties, including an ability to absorb indoor air pollutants. In addition to the established use of woo丨 in carpet, clothing and upholstery, the properties of wool mean that it is increasingly being utilised in technical products such as wool-based oil spill containment materials, filters for waste-streams containing heavy metals and air filters.”