Protecting Your Home From Air Pollution's Reach

Keeping your house safe from air pollution is essential for your health and well-being. While outdoor air pollution from sources like wildfires, traffic, and industry can impact indoor air quality, there are several strategies to safeguard your home. Firstly, identify and eliminate or reduce sources of indoor air pollution, such as asbestos, gas stoves, and inadequate ventilation. Improve ventilation by opening windows and doors or using fans to bring in fresh outdoor air, but be cautious if there are outdoor pollutants like smoke nearby. Maintain a clean living space to minimize allergens and irritants, and consider using air purifiers or filters to capture remaining pollutants. Additionally, reducing energy consumption at home can help improve air quality and curb greenhouse gas emissions. Taking these steps can significantly enhance the air quality in your home, creating a healthier living environment.

Identify sources of indoor pollution and remove them

Keeping your house safe from air pollution involves identifying and removing sources of indoor pollution. Here are some ways to do that:

Biological Pollutants

Biological pollutants include plants, people, and animals. Pet dander and fur can contribute to indoor air pollution, as pet allergens can stay in the air and stick to furniture. Similarly, pollen from plants can trigger allergies and add to indoor pollution.

Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a severe indoor air pollution source. It is estimated to cause ten times more air pollution than diesel car exhaust. If you smoke indoors, consider quitting or moving your smoking outdoors to improve your indoor air quality.

Cleaning Supplies

Conventional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals that cause indoor air pollution. These chemical products release toxic fumes, which can be harmful when inhaled and have been linked to respiratory infections, asthma, and cancer. Opt for natural, green cleaners made with ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, borax, citrus fruit, and essential oils.

Building Materials

Building materials and conditions can support the growth and dissemination of indoor biological pollutants. Contaminated central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for certain types of asthma and infectious illnesses. Additionally, look out for lead and asbestos, which are harmful pollutants that may be present in older homes.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining good indoor air quality. Weatherizing your home and improving energy efficiency can help prevent outdoor pollution from entering. However, it can also trap indoor pollution. Ensure your home has proper ventilation systems to remove polluted indoor air and replace it with fresh, outdoor air.

Carpets

New carpets can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through a process called off-gassing. During and after carpet installation, use window fans or air conditioners to increase ventilation and reduce exposure to chemical emissions.

Improve ventilation to dilute indoor pollutants

Ventilation is a critical factor in maintaining good indoor air quality. Improving ventilation helps to dilute and remove indoor airborne pollutants, replacing them with fresh, outdoor air.

Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation is the movement of air through open windows and doors. Opening windows and doors for 15 minutes each day is a simple and effective way to increase ventilation and bring in fresh air. However, this may not always be suitable, especially if you live near busy highways, industrial areas, or during periods of poor outdoor air quality.

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation systems, such as fans and exhaust systems, can also improve indoor air quality. Ceiling fans, window fans, and attic fans can be used to increase air circulation, especially when combined with open windows. Exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens are particularly useful for removing moisture and gases from specific areas, known as "spot ventilation."

HVAC Systems

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems can contribute to air quality problems if they are contaminated or improperly maintained. However, newer and advanced HVAC systems may include features that bring in and filter outdoor air, improving indoor air quality.

Other Considerations

When increasing ventilation, it is essential to consider the pollutants you want to address and the room size. Additionally, be mindful of outdoor air quality and potential safety concerns. In some cases, it may be more effective to focus on source control, such as eliminating or reducing individual sources of pollution, rather than solely relying on increasing ventilation.

Use air purifiers and filters to capture allergens and irritants

Air purifiers and filters can be an effective way to capture allergens and irritants and improve the air quality in your home. There are several types of air purifiers and filters available, each with its own advantages and limitations.

Filtered air purifiers are considered the safest option for home use. These purifiers use one or more filters to trap airborne pollutants. Electrostatic air purifiers, for example, create charged particles that force particles to attach to walls or surfaces, but they don't remove all particles and can produce ozone, a known irritant.

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are highly effective at capturing fine particles, including common allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and mould spores. HEPA filters are considered "true HEPA" when they remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns, which is the most challenging size to capture. The European equivalent, designated H13, has virtually identical requirements, capturing 99.95%.

When choosing an air purifier, it's important to consider the size of the room and the type of particles you want to remove. For a single room, look for a purifier with a HEPA filter and a CADR (clean air delivery rate) suitable for the room size. For whole-house systems, you can install a permanent or disposable air filter in your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.

To ensure the effectiveness of your air purifier, follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. Additionally, combine the use of air purifiers with other strategies for improving air quality, such as controlling the source of contaminants, improving ventilation, and regularly cleaning surfaces to prevent the buildup of allergens and irritants.

Reduce energy use to lower air pollution and improve indoor air quality

Reducing energy use is crucial for lowering air pollution and enhancing indoor air quality. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Reduce Energy Consumption

Generating electricity and producing energy from other sources are significant contributors to air pollution. By consciously using less energy in your home, you can play a part in improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This can be as simple as turning off appliances and lights when they're not in use, opting for energy-efficient appliances, and adjusting your thermostat settings.

Improve Ventilation

Ventilation plays a vital role in maintaining good indoor air quality. Opening windows and doors, using fans, and operating air conditioning with the vent control open increases the ventilation rate and helps remove pollutants from your home. This is especially important during activities that generate high levels of pollutants, such as cooking, painting, or using heaters. However, be mindful of outdoor pollution sources like smoke or refuse, as simply opening windows may not always be the best solution.

Seal or Enclose Pollution Sources

Some indoor pollution sources, like those containing asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed to prevent the release of harmful gases or particles. This is a cost-efficient way to protect your indoor air quality without increasing ventilation and, consequently, your energy costs.

Adjust Emissions

For certain appliances, like gas stoves, you can adjust their settings to decrease the amount of emissions they produce. This simple step can significantly improve your indoor air quality without requiring any additional energy expenditure.

Adopt Clean Energy Technologies

Transitioning to clean energy devices and technologies, such as solar panels, LPG tanks, or low-emission biomass stoves, can significantly reduce household air pollution. While these options may come with upfront costs, they offer long-term benefits for both your health and the environment. Additionally, some communities may offer pay-as-you-go schemes or conditional cash transfers to encourage the adoption of clean energy sources.

Avoid indoor plants, which can collect and foster mould growth

While indoor plants can be beneficial in improving indoor air quality, some plants can collect and foster mould growth. Mould thrives in cool, damp temperatures, and indoor plants that absorb moisture from the air can inadvertently create an environment that encourages mould growth.

Houseplants such as orchids, spider plants, and palms are known to help remove mould spores and reduce humidity. However, if not properly maintained, they can contribute to mould growth. Overwatering these plants or placing them in areas with insufficient airflow can lead to excessive moisture retention, creating favourable conditions for mould to thrive.

Similarly, English ivy is an effective mould remover, but it requires consistent moisture to remain effective. If its leaves are not kept damp, they can turn brown and drop, providing organic matter for mould to feed on.

The snake plant, also known as Dracaena trifasciata, is a moisture-absorbing plant that thrives in warm, humid environments. While it is known for its ability to purify air, if overwatered or placed in a poorly ventilated area, it can contribute to mould issues.

To prevent mould growth, it is essential to maintain proper ventilation and control moisture levels in your home. Regularly opening windows and doors, using fans, and ensuring good airflow around plants can help prevent excessive moisture buildup. Additionally, allowing indirect sunlight to reach the plants and providing appropriate watering can help keep them healthy and reduce the likelihood of mould growth.

Frequently asked questions