Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a serious issue, and it's not just outdoors that it can be a problem. The air inside your home can be just as polluted, if not more so, than the air outside. This is due to a variety of factors, including outdoor pollution coming inside, indoor activities such as cooking or painting, and the use of certain household products. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve the air quality in your home and reduce indoor air pollution.
How to avoid air pollution at home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ventilation | Open windows and doors to increase the ventilation rate. Use fans in the kitchen and bathroom. |
| Avoid pollutants | Avoid using gas stoves to heat your home, and have gas heaters and stoves checked annually. Don't burn candles or incense, and avoid using air fresheners and other strongly scented products. |
| Clean | Vacuum often, especially if you have pets. Dust with a microfiber cloth. |
| Avoid moisture | Keep moisture levels down with a dehumidifier to prevent mould. |
| Avoid smoking | Don't smoke or use e-cigarettes indoors. |
| Avoid chemicals | Store chemicals safely and use homemade, non-toxic cleaning products. |
| Air purifier | Use an air purifier to reduce impurities. |
| Plants | Houseplants may help to reduce levels of some chemicals, but there is currently no evidence to support this. |
What You'll Learn
Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors
Opening windows and doors is an easy and effective way to increase ventilation and promote good air quality in your home. This simple action encourages a healthy exchange of indoor and outdoor air, helping to dilute indoor pollutants and reduce humidity. It is particularly important to open windows and doors when engaging in activities that can generate high levels of pollutants, such as cooking, painting, or welding. Natural ventilation through open windows and doors can also help moderate indoor air temperature, especially in homes without air-conditioning systems or during power outages.
When opening windows and doors to increase ventilation, it is essential to be mindful of outdoor sources of pollution, such as smoke or refuse, that may negate your efforts to improve indoor air quality. Therefore, it is advisable to assess the outdoor air quality before opting for natural ventilation. Local exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms can also aid in increasing the outdoor ventilation rate and removing contaminants directly from these rooms.
In addition to opening windows and doors, you can further enhance ventilation by operating window or attic fans or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open. These mechanical means of ventilation can be particularly useful when outdoor air quality is poor or when weather conditions do not permit natural ventilation through open windows and doors. Advanced designs for newer homes may also include energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators as part of the HVAC system to improve ventilation while mitigating heating and cooling costs.
By implementing these strategies and increasing ventilation through open windows and doors, you can effectively improve the air quality in your home and create a healthier living environment for you and your family. Remember to also address the source of indoor pollution, choose safer products, and maintain proper ventilation and inspection of combustion appliances to comprehensively tackle indoor air pollution.
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Avoid indoor smoking
Smoking indoors is a major source of indoor air pollution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in non-smokers. People exposed to secondhand smoke face the same dangers as those who smoke themselves, inhaling thousands of toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke.
The best way to avoid indoor smoking is to prohibit it entirely. If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you is to quit. If you cannot quit, smoke outside, and as far away from the home as possible. Even with windows and doors open, smoke can still enter the home and affect those inside. If you have children, it is especially important to keep them away from secondhand smoke. This includes not smoking in a car with children, as the confined space increases their exposure to harmful chemicals.
If you have visitors who smoke, ask them to smoke outside and away from the home. If you live in an apartment building, be aware that secondhand smoke can travel between units. Talk to your employer or landlord about implementing a smoke-free policy for employees, customers, and tenants.
Finally, if you are unable to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, it is important to note that opening windows, using fans, air conditioners, air purifiers, or ventilation systems is not enough to get rid of secondhand smoke.
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Vacuum often
Regular and thorough vacuuming is an important step in reducing indoor air pollution. Vacuuming helps to remove pollutants, allergens, and impurities that have built up on surfaces and fabrics in your home. It is especially important to vacuum often if you have pets, as pet dander can be a significant source of indoor air pollution.
When vacuuming to reduce indoor air pollution, it is important to use the right tools and techniques. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which can help trap particles and prevent them from being recirculated into the air. Microfiber dusting cloths and attachments are also recommended, as they capture more dust than traditional cotton rags or vacuum attachments.
Be sure to vacuum all surfaces, including floors, furniture, curtains, and any other fabrics or upholstered items in your home. Pay special attention to areas that are prone to dust and dirt buildup, such as corners, crevices, and under furniture. If possible, move furniture and appliances to vacuum underneath and behind them, as these areas can harbour large amounts of dust and allergens.
In addition to regular vacuuming, it is important to declutter your space and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to reduce dust buildup. This will help to prevent dust from being kicked up into the air, where it can be inhaled or settle back onto surfaces. Remember to vacuum under and around cushions and pillows, as these can also trap dust and allergens.
By vacuuming often and using the right tools and techniques, you can significantly reduce indoor air pollution and create a healthier environment in your home.
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Avoid air fresheners and scented candles
Air fresheners, scented candles, and other fragranced products are designed to make your home smell nice and fresh. However, research shows that they can emit harmful chemicals and organic compounds that negatively impact indoor air quality. These chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, can cause a range of health issues such as eye and throat irritation, respiratory problems, and even headaches.
To avoid these potential health risks, it is advisable to minimise the use of air fresheners and scented candles. Instead, opt for fragrance-free cleaning products and proper ventilation to keep your indoor air fresh and healthy. Opening windows and doors or using exhaust fans are simple yet effective ways to increase ventilation and reduce the concentration of indoor air pollutants.
When buying scented candles, choose those made from soy, beeswax, or other non-paraffin waxes, as they are generally safer. Burning these candles in moderation, along with proper ventilation, is considered safe and can help improve air quality. Additionally, consider using air purifiers with activated carbon filters to further enhance your indoor air quality and create a safer environment for your family, friends, and pets.
While it may be tempting to mask unpleasant odours with air fresheners and scented candles, it is important to address the source of the odour instead. For example, regular cleaning with homemade products, such as a mixture of white vinegar and water, can help eliminate odours and reduce the need for fragranced products. Houseplants can also help improve air quality, although their effectiveness in removing significant quantities of pollutants is still under debate.
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Control indoor moisture to prevent mould
Mould growth indoors is a significant health hazard that can increase the risk of respiratory allergy symptoms and exacerbate asthma in mould-sensitive individuals. Mould spores will not grow if moisture is not present, so the key to mould prevention is to control moisture indoors.
There are several ways to control moisture in your home. Firstly, fix any leaks and seepage. If water is entering your home from outside, you can try landscaping or, for a more extensive solution, excavation and waterproofing. Water in the basement can often be a result of a lack of gutters or a water flow towards the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow, so these should be repaired promptly.
You should also use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside, and always use a kitchen range hood exhaust fan when cooking, preferably on the highest setting. Keep the exhaust fan running for at least 30 minutes after a shower or bath. If you have a clothes dryer, ensure it is vented to the outside.
Additionally, turn off appliances such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters if you notice moisture on windows or other surfaces. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners can be used to reduce moisture in the air, especially in hot and humid climates. However, be cautious when using air conditioners in hot regions, as they may not run long enough to remove excess moisture from the air.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to improve indoor air quality and avoid air pollution at home. Firstly, identify the source of the pollution and remove it. Then, increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter your home. You can also use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove contaminants. If the outdoor air quality is poor, use a high-efficiency air filter for your HVAC system or a portable air cleaner.
Indoor air pollution can be caused by various sources, such as combustion appliances like heaters, stoves, and dryers, which can produce dangerous pollutants like carbon monoxide if not properly vented or maintained. Other sources include personal and household chemical products, cleaning products, and secondhand smoke.
To reduce your exposure to indoor air pollution, avoid using strongly scented products like air fresheners and scented candles, as these can trigger asthma. Vacuum often, especially if you have pets, and use a microfiber dusting cloth to capture more dust. Minimize carpeting, as it can trap pollutants, and choose hard-surface flooring instead.
Increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors is a natural way to improve indoor air quality. Houseplants have also been shown to reduce levels of some chemicals in laboratory experiments, but there is no evidence that they significantly improve indoor air quality. However, be careful not to overwater houseplants, as overly damp soil can promote the growth of microorganisms that can affect allergic individuals.
Outdoor air pollution can impact indoor air quality, especially if there are sources of pollution nearby, such as smoke or refuse. It is important to monitor outdoor air quality and take steps to reduce your exposure, such as by closing windows and using air purifiers during periods of high pollution, such as wildfires.
