- The Hidden Dangers of Indoor Air Quality
- Hacks for keeping fresh air in your household
- How to check air quality?
The Hidden Dangers of Indoor Air Quality
Small, simple steps build healthy habits.
The impact of air quality on physical and mental health when indoors is significant—a fact not widely publicized and often surprising. Many everyday household objects can contribute to air quality. For instance, carpets can trap pollutants like dust mites, pesticides, dirt, and dust, which can get into the air by vacuuming or simply walking on the carpet.
There are sometimes more sources of air pollution indoors than outdoors. These include items used for burning, such as gas, wood, kerosene, and tobacco products. Other contributors to air pollution are treated wood products, vapors from household cleaning and personal care items, harmful gases released by building materials, as well as external sources like radon or lawn pesticides.
When people envision air pollution, they often picture smoke billowing from facilities. However, they tend to overlook the impact that modern construction materials, aerosol sprays, and cleaning products can have on air quality. Poor indoor air quality can lead to symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sinus congestion, dry throat, fatigue, eye irritation, and headaches.
Hacks for keeping fresh air in your household
Make pure air circulate by following these suggestions to keep you and your family breathing comfortably. The best part? These tips are suitable for every apartment for rent in France.
Why does air pollution occur indoors?
- Bringing in pollen and smoke can contribute to air pollution.
- Indoor air also harbors allergens like dust, pet dander, and mold.
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Various building materials, furniture, carpets, fragrances, and cleaning products can emit chemicals into the air.
Moreover, if you believe that spraying air fresheners will purify your air, think again. Those scents themselves contribute to air pollution as most air fresheners release potentially harmful chemicals into your living space.
1. Open Doors for Natural Ventilation
To let in a breath of fresh air, especially on a breezy day, opening a door is an effortless way to get air flowing in your apartment.
2. Utilize Windows for Fresh Air Intake
If opening a door isn’t feasible, consider opening a window or two if you have them. If you reside in an area where nights are cool, use the cold air by opening windows around bedtime or even leaving them open overnight.
3. Maximize Your HVAC System for Air Circulation
One of the simplest methods to effectively keep fresh air circulating is to use the fan setting on your HVAC system or smart thermostats, which you can control remotely via a smartphone.
4. Optimize Ceiling Fan Usage for Temperature Regulation
Ceiling fans circulate air in stuffy rooms and can help regulate room temperature by adjusting the fan’s direction. In the summer, ensure your ceiling fan rotates counterclockwise to push air downwards. In winter, switch it to rotate clockwise to distribute air evenly and keep your space cozy.
5. Ensure Adequate Ventilation in High-Moisture Areas
Areas like the bathroom and kitchen tend to accumulate heat and moisture, so good airflow is especially essential here. For example, ventilation in the kitchen should be ensured while cooking. Smoke and fumes from cooking contribute to air pollution that cannot be entirely eliminated from the home environment.
6. Create Cross Ventilation with Opposing Windows
When two windows face each other, opening them up can create cross ventilation effortlessly. If there’s no breeze, consider using fans to help move the air.
7. Manage Humidity Levels with Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
When the air in your home feels stagnant, it could be a sign of too much humidity. A humidifier can add moisture to the air, which is helpful during dry winter months. On the other hand, if your home feels overly damp and stuffy, a dehumidifier can help maintain moisture levels. Both devices improve air quality by filtering and circulating the air within your living space.
Make sure to keep an eye on the moisture in the air. When you take a shower, a lot of water vapor gets released into the room. This moisture sticks around for a while, even after you’re done. This lingering moisture can lead to mold and dust mites, triggering problems and allergies.
Managing the humidity levels in your living space is essential to avoid these health issues.
8. Use Air Purifiers for Cleaner Indoor Air
Air purifiers freshen up air by eliminating contaminants and pollutants that may be present in your living environment. They are available in sizes to adjust to apartment sizes, and it’s important to change filters regularly for efficient air filtration.
9. Incorporate Indoor Plants for Natural Air Purification
Indoor plants not only absorb carbon dioxide but also release oxygen, which helps eliminate common indoor pollutants originating from items like carpets, paints, and cleaning products. There are kinds of plants that can help purify the air in your home by removing common volatile organic compounds. Plant leaves alone can reduce levels of chemicals like carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde in the environment.
10. Avoid Scented Candles and Use Natural Air Fresheners
Try to refrain from using scented candles and air fresheners as they release chemicals into the air. Instead, you can create your natural air freshener as an alternative to scented products.
Additionally, opt for cleaning products without harsh chemicals that can harm indoor air quality. Switching to alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can help you clean surfaces effectively while keeping your home safe.
11. Regularly Replace Filters in Air Conditioning Units
Don’t forget to swap out the filters in an air conditioner. Ensuring that the filters effectively capture dust and debris is vital for maintaining air circulation in your heating and cooling systems. It’s also important to clean or replace vacuum cleaner filters.
12. Experiment with Essential Oil Diffusers
You can experiment with using oil diffusers in your home. Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, have antibacterial properties, and oils like eucalyptus, clove, and lavender have been shown to reduce dust mites in your home environment as airborne bacteria.
13. Understand the Impact of HVAC Systems on Air Quality
HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) can worsen indoor air quality in homes. This is mainly because of the lack of air circulation indoors compared to outdoors. The same air is recycled inside the home repeatedly, resulting in a very high concentration of air pollutants, in contrast to what is happening outside the home.
14. Maintain a Clean-Living Space to Reduce Dust and Allergens
It’s obvious, but don’t overlook cleaning your living space regularly. Dusting and vacuuming frequently can help remove dust from the room, preventing it from being stirred into the air.
How to check air quality?
A straightforward method to assess the air quality in your apartment is to utilize an air quality sensor. Numerous companies provide monitoring devices for air quality, allowing you to buy a sensor that can identify contaminants such as mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and radon.
