Air pollution has some serious effects not only in the environment but also in human health. Short-term exposure to contaminated air can aggravate symptoms of common respiratory illnesses like asthma and emphysema while long-term exposure can cause serious damage to the lungs, heart, brain, liver and kidneys. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 4.6 million people die each year due to causes directly attributed to air pollution. Air pollution does not only take place outside our homes. In fact, indoor air pollution can be deadlier than outdoor air pollution, according to research.
Smoke from cigarettes and other sources, fungal spores, chemicals from cleaners, paints, furniture, and varnishes, carbon monoxide, and radon gas are among the indoor air pollutants that can have a dangerous impact to our health. The good news is, combating indoor air pollution is possible. And there are tools that we can rely on when it comes to making sure that the air we breathe is clean and fresh all the time.
House Plants
Yes, you read that right. Sprucing up your home with some indoor houseplants can greatly help improve the air quality inside your home. But how do plants help clean the air? It does it in two ways: 1) by absorbing some of the particulates in the air and 2) taking in carbon monoxide as its food and releasing oxygen (the process we know as ‘photosynthesis’). What’s more, the microorganisms (microbes) present in the pot soil also contributes to clean air. What plants are perfect to grow inside your home? Consider garden mum, spider plant, weeping fig, peace lily, snake plant, and Boston fern.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Did you know that carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America? That’s according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. When inhaled in large amounts, CO can be deadly. There are many sources of CO in your home, such as kerosene and gas space heaters, gas stove, as well as leaking chimneys and furnaces. The thing is CO is odorless, which means it’s hard to detect it without using any tool. That is why installing a carbon monoxide detector inside your home is recommended. CO detectors sound an alarm when there are dangerous levels of this harmful gas present in your home.
Air Scrubbers
Thinking of renovating your home? Make sure to use air scrubbers. Home improvement can be an exciting time for any family. But it can also be a time when indoor air pollution is at its peak. Most construction products release chemical fumes, such as paints, varnishes, and cement. You can’t also prevent dust and debris from contaminating your indoor air. And if you have mold infestation at home, the more you need an air scrubber. This air cleaning technology works by drawing in airborne contaminants and releasing clean air, addressing 99.9% of the harmful contaminants in your home.
It works best against gases, vapors, VOCs, and offensive odors. Air scrubbers are usually portable devices that work like air purifiers without being attached to the ductwork but they can also be installed permanently in your home as a fixture inside an existing ductwork.
Essential Oil Diffusers
Certain essential oils, such as tea tree oil, chamomile, peppermint, and lavender have air-purifying and antibacterial properties that make them a great tool for improving indoor air quality. Using an essential oil diffuser is an inexpensive yet amazing way to keep your indoor air clean, fresh and smelling nice. Yes, aromatherapy all throughout your home!
Air Purifiers
Another inexpensive investment that can improve indoor air quality is an air purifier. This tool traps airborne spores (like mold and mildew) in its filter to prevent them from attaching to the walls and surfaces, and capture pollen, cigarette smoke, dust, dirt, pet dander, and other airborne particles that trigger allergies. There you go – the five essential tools that will certainly boost your indoor air quality! Indoor air pollution is real and it could be harming your family’s health for a long time now. Thus, taking steps to reduce air pollutants inside your home is very important in ensuring the health, safety and wellness of everyone in your home.
