Breathe In, Breathe Out: How to Improve Air Quality at Home
When it comes to air pollution, massive factories bellowing out dark clouds of smoke instantly comes into our minds. Or maybe a smoke-belching vehicle that zooms down the highway. You’d instantly consider to stay inside to avoid the damaging effects of air pollution outdoors. But are you certain that you are safe inside the four corners of your humble abode?
The thing is, air pollution inside your home can be as bad, or worse, than the air pollution outside.
What is Indoor Air Pollution?
According to British Lung Foundation as mentioned in the blog of Country Living, indoor air pollution is “dust, dirt or gases in the air inside a building that harms us if we breathe it in.” The scary thing is that these indoor air pollutants are usually odorless and are very minute in size, making them a deadly, silent killer.
On average, a person spends 90% of his time indoors. While the big, busy cities are more prone to air pollution than the suburbs, people living in the countryside is also susceptible to this danger.
Most of our homes are less ventilated and more insulated. While this is an effective in saving energy, it sets up the stage for dry, stale air to hang a bit longer than necessary.
What are Some Common Indoor Air Pollutants?
Air pollutants are brought into your home by internal and external factors. It could be your pet bringing in dust particles from a long day of playing outside or hazardous spray chemicals. One of the most common air pollutant is carbon monoxide that easily slips inside our unfiltered homes.
1. Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fiber usually found in rocks and soil. Asbestos is one key ingredient in the construction industry as it is commonly used in insulation due to its capability to withstand heat at high temperatures. This sturdy mineral is also used as roofing shingles and in applying friction on cars. Though it has a lot of industrial uses, importation, manufacture and distribution of asbestos-based materials is banned due to its hazardous impact on health. Inhalation of asbestos can cause lung disease, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
2. Carbon Monoxide
One of the most common air pollutant is carbon monoxide produced by burning fossil fuels. This odorless gas is also present in vehicles’ exhaust pipes, which is one big contributor in outdoor air pollution. On the other hand, burning gas and kerosene are the major factors of CO2 pollution.
When inhaled in dangerously large quantities, it can affect the supply of oxygen inside the body. Carbon monoxide or CO2 targets the blood, which diminishes its capacity to transport filtered air into our organs. Prolonged exposure to CO2 may cause dizziness, unconsciousness and even death.
3. Formaldehyde
This next air contaminant is widely used in various building materials and household items, meaning you are living with it inside your home 24/7. Formaldehyde is used as a resin in wood products and as a cosmetic preservative. It is also present in products like paint, glue, and pesticides. Formaldehyde is also emitted from continuous burning and combustion.
When exposed shortly, it can cause eyes, throat, nose, and skin irritation. Long term exposure may cause cancer.
4. Biological Pollutants
Indoor air pollution isn’t only caused by chemicals and burning fuels. Living organisms are also contributing factors. For instance, your beloved fur babies can spread off pet dander into the air when they shake or wiggle. Other biological pollutants include virus, bacteria, and mildew formed from excessive moisture in your kitchen or bathroom. Spoilt food in your kitchen is also a perfect breeding ground for molds to appear.
5. Pesticides
We commonly used insecticides and disinfectants to ward off pests, insects, rodents, and other vermin from our homes and keep our spaces clean and tidy. But as much as it protects us from these kinds of harm, using such products is also detrimental to our health.
Pesticides is one key ingredient in insecticides and disinfectants that may cause eyes, throat, and nose, and skin irritation when exposed shortly. Long term exposure can cause cancer and may impair functions of the central nervous system.
How Can I Improve Indoor Air Quality?
1. Opening Your Windows
The simple act of opening your windows contribute significantly in reducing the risk of indoor air pollution. Opening your windows improves air flow inside your home and thus, replacing the dry, stale air that’s been hanging around in your space. It also diminishes humidity, which means there’s lesser chance for molds and mildew to grow.
2. Keep Your Carpets Clean
Hate doing the vacuum job? Well, you may as well start picking up that cleaner and suck up those rugs and carpets as they do more than being pleasantries in your house. Carpets and rugs effectively traps dust, pet dander, and other particles just by lying there. That’s why it is important to vacuum them regularly, and professionally deep clean them every 12–18 months.
Also, don’t forget to dust your cushions and pillows to get rid of dust that’s trapped on the surface. Change bed sheets and pillows regularly and dust curtains and drapes as often as possible. Cultivating a clean discipline inside your home will contribute greatly in keeping your indoor air quality at best.
3. Use Air Purifiers
As mentioned, some of these air pollutants are very small in size and can only be seen under the aid of a microscope. While it is hard to combat the unseen, investing in air purifiers will help you fight off these contaminants even with blindfolds on!
But before you go and check out that air purifier in your cart, make sure that it has a high CADR (clean air delivery rate). The higher its CADR is, the faster it will clean your indoor air. If you aren’t on a tight budget, invest in purifiers with built-in fans. Not that it will filter the air but it will also aid in good air circulation.
Place your purifier in key areas such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen or the dining area to effectively trap these pesky air pollutants!
4. Grow Indoor Plants
Aside from being lovely decorations in our homes, indoor plants are also effective in improving and maintaining good air quality. Some of the effective air-cleaning plants include Spider Lily, Boston fern, and Devil’s Ivy.
5. Control Humidity
Humidity and moisture are the perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew to foster. Control humidity at home by closing your doors when you shower, hanging up wet clothes outside to dry and cover your pots and pans while cooking. You can also buy humidifiers for excessively damp areas and poorly-ventilated rooms.
6. Check and Change Your Air-conditioning Filters
Air-conditioners are good home companions as they will give you that nice, cool temperature especially during summer. While these ACs are equipped with filters, it is still important to check and change them when necessary. The filters will soon stop doing their jobs and thus cutting off the supply of clean air in your space. Frequent changing of air filters will also prevent the trapped air pollutants from re-circulating.
7. Using Stove Vents When Cooking
Make sure to turn on the stove vents when cooking as gas stoves and electric burners emit toxic CO2 and nitrogen dioxide. If your kitchen doesn’t have a built-in vent, it is advisable to open your windows to let the steam and smoke out.
Keeping indoor air quality at best may require lots of work and effort but doing these preventive measures will provide lifelong health benefits.
