Air pollution and the reducing indoor air quality are a major concern now. People have always been exposed to harmful air pollutants in the atmosphere but now they are not even safe inside their own homes. The level of air pollution is increasing indoors and is leading to various health problems. With the increasing indoor air pollution, the need for preventive measures is also increasing. But how do you really improve the indoor air quality?
Here are 7 ways that will help in improving your indoor air quality.
- Fix any leaks in the house- Water leakage from broken pipes or loose taps is common in households. But they lead to an increase in the level of humidity which leads to the formation of molds. Molds are a fungal air pollutant that grow in wet or damp areas. Fixing any leaks in the house and keeping the humidity level inside the house to a minimum will prevent the buildup of molds.
- Smoke fans- Use of gas stoves while cooking also releases a considerable amount of air pollutants (present in the smoke). Now you obviously cannot reduce or limit your cooking but you can definitely install smoke fans in your kitchen. These smoke fans will drive the smoke out of the house.
- House plants- This is another great way to purify you indoor air. House plants are known to be great natural purifiers as they emit fresh air. Adding some houseplants inside your home will instantly improve your indoor air quality.
- Go fragrance free- Fragrances in air fresheners, paints, perfumes, etc contain harmful air pollutants- VOCs. These contaminants are harmful for human health and cause adverse respiratory and heart diseases. The use of products containing VOCs should be restricted in order to limit the exposure to these pollutants.
- Air monitors- Indoor air can be 2-5x more polluted. Good quality air monitors from brands like Kaiterra, uHoo, etc are a great way to monitor your air and reduce the air pollution. It is essential for you to know the air around you. You cannot have a solution for it (improving indoor air quality) when you are unaware of the problem in the first place. Air monitors help in identifying the pollutants (and their level) that are present in your indoor air.
- Proper cleaning of carpets and walls- Molds, dust, pollens, are pollutant that live in the fibers of carpets and inside the wall. Their presence is not noticeable unless their concentration is high. But you still need to properly clean your house in order to get rid of them. If inhaled, they can cause nose, lungs, and eye irritation.
- Keeping yours and your pet’s feet clean- You don’t want to bring your shoes inside the house after you’ve walked outside for some time. You shoes have pollutants like dust, pollen etc stuck to them; that’s why taking them off before you enter the house can be a good practice. In the same way, cleaning your pet’s paw after they have taken a walk outside will eliminate the entry of dust and dirt in the house.
Indoor air pollution can be even more harmful than outdoor air pollution since we spend more than half of our day indoors. Installing air monitors and purifiers in your home will prevent the increasing amount of air pollutants that lead to poor indoor air quality.
