A large part of our time is spent at home. However, most news related to air quality always refers to the outside, without realizing that the air is also inside the house. In fact, it is very possible that you are breathing poor quality air right now.
Believe it or not, the air inside homes can be more polluted than the outdoor air, due to a combination of factors such as dust, cleaning chemicals, and lack of proper ventilation. Want to change that? Then take a look at this article where we will tell you what to do to transform it and increase the air quality. Shall we get started?
Why indoor air quality is poor
As we mentioned before, the house is one of the places where we spend the most time. The problem is that the air we breathe may not be of good quality.
There are a series of factors that contribute to the air becoming ‘dirty’. Among them are:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): With this strange name we refer to gases emitted in your home (and that you may not always notice). For example, paint on the walls, varnishes on furniture, floor wax, cleaning products… All of these influence air quality and can cause health problems in the short and long term.
- Dust mites and pet allergens: If you have pets at home, they, even if they are clean and well cared for, are a source of allergens and microbes that will accumulate in clothing, furniture… Even floating around and significantly reducing air quality. The same goes for dust that can enter from opening windows or doors.
- Mold: Mold spores are a common contaminant in homes with humidity problems. Bathrooms, kitchens, and any area prone to moisture are typical places for mold growth, which not only damages the structure of the house but can also be harmful to respiratory health.
- Tobacco and cooking smoke: Tobacco smoke is a significant source of indoor air pollution (in fact, many people have trouble breathing when they smell it). The same goes for cooking. When frying or grilling, a range of fine particles and gases (the smell) are released, deteriorating air quality.
- Inadequate ventilation: Another factor that influences poor air quality is the lack of proper ventilation. In other words, not opening windows to refresh the air in a home.
What diseases and symptoms does poor air quality cause
Due to all of the above, if not remedied, there are short and long-term consequences. What are they?
- Irritations: Many people experience irritations of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as episodes of sneezing and coughing. The more sensitive a person is, the more problems of this type they will cause. And, it can also lead to more serious problems.
- Respiratory problems: Poor air quality can cause breathing difficulties. Even if there are no preexisting respiratory problems, such as asthma, COPD, etc., they may develop under these conditions.
- Fatigue and headaches: Although you may not associate it at first, breathing inadequate air reduces concentration and increases fatigue. This is accompanied by headaches due to inadequate oxygen levels and exposure to high CO2 levels.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Long-term exposure to this air will lead to cardiovascular diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels.
- Impact on mental health: Diseases such as anxiety or depression can also be caused by poor air quality.
What to do to improve air quality
After seeing all the negative effects of breathing poor quality air, isn’t it worth improving things? After all, we breathe between 7,200 and 8,600 liters every day, which averages to 21,000 breaths in 24 hours. If some of them were of high quality, our bodies would thank us.
And how can we do that?
Open windows and refresh the air
It is important to refresh the air in your home every day. Just opening the windows for five minutes is more than enough.
Also, in areas like the kitchen or bathroom, it is advisable to install extraction fans to remove pollutants and excess moisture.
Use air purifiers
They can be fixed or portable. But we recommend them because they capture a wide range of contaminants and allergens such as dust, pollen, mold, tobacco smoke, etc. and improve air quality.
Check your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
In fact, it is not enough to carry out inspections and maintenance, but every so often, you will need to change the filters to ensure they are working properly and not releasing pollutants into the air.
Control humidity
An appropriate humidity level in a home is between 30 and 50%. If it is higher or lower, it will affect air quality.
Clean frequently
Avoid the settling of dust or the presence of contaminants that could be “floating” in the air you breathe. However, be careful with the cleaning products you use, make sure they have low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
Add plants
Finally, we recommend decorating with indoor plants that purify the air such as pothos, peace lily, Areca…
Do you see how important it is to have good air quality?
via: MiMub in Spanish
