Last updated 22.09.2026
Environment and health
Our environment may contain substances or microorganisms that can affect our health. At the LNS, we analyse various elements found in air, dust and buildings, as well as certain substances to which we may be exposed in everyday life.
- Indoor air quality
We test air and dust for various pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, aldehydes, metals, pesticides, plasticisers and hydrocarbons. - Microorganisms present in buildings
We identify moulds, yeasts and certain bacteria present in the air or on surfaces. We can also test for allergens in dust. - Exposure to substances present in our environment
To better understand our exposure to certain chemical substances, we can test for them in blood, urine or hair samples. These analyses help assess exposure to substances present in our environment, whether at home or in the workplace.
The microbiology of the built environment
Indoor environments may contain various microorganisms, particularly when humidity is high. Exposure to these airborne microorganisms can affect health, especially in more vulnerable people such as children, older people or immunocompromised individuals.
It may in particular be associated with respiratory symptoms such as irritation of the nose and throat, coughing, breathing difficulties, respiratory infections, or the onset or worsening of asthma. Exposure to mould can also promote certain allergies and, in some cases, cause more specific respiratory diseases.
The LNS plays an essential role in identifying these microorganisms in indoor environments. These analyses help improve understanding of exposures and provide useful information to healthcare professionals so that patient care can be adapted. Find out more in this video.
