
When we think about air quality our minds probably turn to the outside, where car fumes, factory smoke and other pollutants often dominate the air. However, indoor air quality is equally as important, especially considering a fair few of us spend most of our time indoors. Essentially, any air that we breathe is important and the home or the office air isn’t necessarily of higher quality because we are inside.
This piece will discuss some of the reasons why the air in your home is important and how to go about making it the best it can be for your health and wellbeing.
Good Quality Indoor Air is Critical for Health
Considering that we need to breathe oxygen to live, announcing that air is critical for our health is probably not that far-fetched. That being said, the “good quality” part is what can actually be difficult to measure and maintain, and it can have a significant impact on our wellbeing. Inside is not free from gases, pollutants, or chemicals, whether that is the home, the office, or any other indoor space where you spend a long period of time. We breathe these in, day in day out, which can cause significant health problems if done over a prolonged period. Most of the time, these health issues will be uncomfortable but not deadly, such as itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue and other allergen symptoms. However, for the unlucky among us, there can be the development of long-term health issues such as asthma, which is said to affect 25 million people a year.
What Can You Do?
If you are concerned about the level of pollutants or chemicals in the air you breathe, you are not alone. Fortunately, there is now some innovative technology that can help clean the air of any dangerous particles and give you much healthier indoor air to breathe in.
While installing an air purifier can be a big job and slightly costly, it will work out as an excellent investment in the long run and while you wait, consider getting yourself some indoor plants that naturally clean the air!
What Are the Common Indoor Pollutants?
When we think about indoor pollutants, it might be more difficult to put your finger on what may cause us harm.
Some of the most common indoor pollutants include
- Asbestos – Asbestos poses a very real risk to health and is not yet banned in the USA. It is a substance that is continued to be used in roofing, building materials, in factories, schools and other places of residence.
- Carbon monoxide – Carbon monoxide is a gas that is harmless in very small qualities, but when allowed to build up in the bloodstream, can have grave effects on our health. It can be deadly if a source is not fixed quickly, though it is possible to buy carbon monoxide alarms as it is usually odorless and tasteless.
- Pesticides – Some pesticides (which are used to keep bugs off plants and other growing matter) can be deadly to humans. They have been linked with cancer, birth defects, blindness, and reproductive issues just to name a few.
- Second- hand smoke– It is well known that second-hand smoke can be extremely dangerous to us. This can include being around smokers or being around fires and chimneys for long parts of the day.