The air that we breathe has a significant influence on our health. Researchers have associated poor air quality with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, a 2018 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that air pollution is responsible for around seven million fatalities per year.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also argues that, nevertheless, the air within your house might be considerably more contaminated than the air outdoors, as the majority of our time is spent inside, which makes cleaning up our indoor air even more imperative.
There are several reasons why your indoor air might be contaminated. For example, furniture and construction materials can emit pollutants on a more or less constant basis. Other causes, including smoking, sweeping, or remodeling, may intermittently emit pollutants. Damaged devices may also discharge potential hazardous pollutant levels indoors; that is why a running carbon monoxide alarm is crucial in your house.
According to research, health disorders caused by toxins and chemicals cost around $340 billion per year in hospitalization and productivity loss costs. Thus, it is vital to improving your indoor air quality with minimal use of such.
Increase the Amount of Airflow
Ventilating your home lowers humidity, an important issue for the air quality indoors. However, it does not mean that you open all of your windows and allow pollution outside to enter your home. Instead, build trickle vents to filter and circulate interior air.
Another excellent option is to employ exhaust fans, which assist in the transport of impurities outdoors. Make a habit of ventilating your kitchen, as cooking can significantly improve indoor air quality, mainly if you use a gas burner. According to experts, cooking a single dinner on a gas stove produces amounts of nitrogen dioxide that the Environmental Protection Agency considers harmful to breathe. Additionally, after showering, make sure to release all the steam and excess moisture in the air that might induce mold, mildew, and fungal growth.
Consider Indoor Plants
Along with oxygen that our bodies need, the air that we breathe includes numerous gases and a mixture of other compounds and microscopic particles. Many of them are contaminants and particles that pose a risk to your overall health. The takeaway here is that certain houseplants contribute to the removal of these dangerous pollutants from the air. Consider placing peace lilies, spider plants, Boston ferns indoors to help reduce toxins in your home.
Some also suggest that natural beeswax candles, like plants, may help eliminate harmful pollutants while also cleansing the interior air. However, further study is required if candles may indeed clear air in the area. It’s crucial to remember that burning any candle releases smoke into the atmosphere. Utilize LED candles to eliminate this, therefore polluting the airless and reducing the risk of fire.
Eliminate Molds
These kinds of fungi can emit spores into the environment, which can cause allergic reactions. It thrives in dark, moist areas, including your bathrooms, laundry area, and basements. They absorb and trap water from damp garments, towels, and other wet surfaces. When this moisture is absorbed, allergens start to get attracted to it.
These allergies may even spread throughout your house over time. By inhaling them, you risk developing congestion, rashes, cough, or some other related symptoms. You wouldn’t want to spend your entire life in an allergy-infested environment. Thus, make it a point to have your dryer vent cleaned so that you can breathe easily.
Additionally, you may clean moist surfaces often, operate a dehumidifier, or use a more conventional technique by spraying vinegar into damp areas such as showers and bathtubs after use. Above all, keep an eye out for leaks.
Consider Essential Oils and Diffusers
Certain essential oils, such as tea tree and lavender oil, contain antibacterial properties and may be used as a DIY household cleaner or even used directly to cure a tiny cut. However, did you know that they can also help decrease microorganisms in the air? Additionally, essential oils such as thyme, clove, rosemary, and eucalyptus have been shown to reduce the number of allergens and mites in your home.
Given that we spend most, if not all, of our time indoors and that the coronavirus is now declared airborne, we should put more effort into improving our indoor air quality. The fact is that indoor air pollution is just as hazardous–if not worse–than environmental pollution. With some preventive measures, basic information, and regular maintenance, you can start improving your indoor air quality right now.