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Home::Environment
Is Indoor Air Safe? 4 Simple Steps to Make It Safer
Author : Charles Kassotis
It is true that we spend most of our time, almost 80% of it, in
indoor spaces. We're used to worrying about the air outdoors. We
complain about pollution, gas emissions and smog. However,
indoor air can be more hazardous than outdoor air. That is due
to the levels of humidity that are created in closed spaces,
which support growth of bacteria and intensify the existing
pollutants. The concentration of pollutants per unit of air can
be 10 to 50 times greater indoors than out. Additionally, indoor
air is perfectly absorbed and exchanged with fresh air. That
leads to breathing higher concentration of pollutants per
breath. Some of the indoor air pollutants whose existence we
know of include: --Tobacco, which is generally known to cause
cancer to smokers, what we don't know is that passive smokers
also run a high risk of developing cancer, nose or throat
irritations, bronchitis and asthma. Additionally, tobacco smoke,
being thick, is not completely absorbed and/or exchanged with
fresh air. It becomes smog that sits around the house.
--Volatile organic compounds are regularly used in houses. The
name is tricky but the products are simple. Perfumes and hair
sprays, various detergents, air fresheners, polishers, fragrance
candles... these innocent products can cause eye, nose and
throat irritation, headaches and nausea. --Pesticides and other
bug repellents cause respiratory irritation, impaired lung
function and may even contribute to asthma and damage to the
central nervous system. --Animal dander, dust mites and pollen
from indoor plants can cause allergic reactions and asthma
attacks to people with respiratory problems. --Various bacteria
also exist in our indoor air, as well as mold, mildew and fungi,
which may cause eye, nose and respiratory irritation, skin rash
and other allergic reactions. --Some of the most dangerous
pollutants indoor are radon asbestos, formaldehyde, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and organic gases that cause
respiratory irritations, nausea fatigue and headaches,
contribute to lung cancer, liver and central nervous system
damage. Along with oxygen, we breathe these harmful substitutes
every day. Let's see what we can do to purify our indoor air and
protect our health. --Use air-cleaning houseplants. Houseplants
have the ability not only to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen
but also to trap and absorb many pollutants through their
natural process of photosynthesis. Luckily, plants are very
effective at removing gases such as formaldehyde, carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene and cigarette smoke. The best
air purifying plants are Aloe Vera, Bamboo palms, Dracaena
palms, Spider plants, Philodendrons, Pothos and Chrysanthemums.
--Ventilate your space properly. Air-purification devices can
reduce the amount of pollutants found in indoor air. Clean the
filters regularly. You can use filters with activated carbon,
which is very effective as pollutant gases are attracted by and
stick to the carbon. -- Open the windows. That will allow the
exchange of indoor air with fresh air letting many pollutants to
escape. Create an air cross draft to clean the air faster.
--You shouldn't rely solely only on outdoor air to refresh your
space. Outdoor air isn't completely clean; it contains many
pollutants as well. The best way to keep air healthy is to
eliminate the source of pollutants as much as possible. Be on
the lookout and remove all products that contain petrochemicals.
Scientific research has shown increased evidence that indoor
air pollution is one of the biggest environmental risks we face.
Public-health experts coordinate to bring solutions, but
meanwhile, take precautions, such as the ones listed above, to
protect yours and your family's health.
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