Purifying Air Pollution: Natural Solutions For Cleaner Air

Air pollution is a serious issue, with the air inside homes being up to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. This is due to a variety of factors, including indoor activities such as smoking, cleaning, or cooking, as well as the use of unvented or malfunctioning appliances. To purify the air and reduce harmful particles, one can use portable air cleaners, also known as air purifiers, which are designed to filter the air in a single room or area. Additionally, natural methods such as increasing ventilation, using beeswax candles, and placing houseplants can also help improve indoor air quality.

Ways to Purify Air Pollution

Using air purifiers

Air purifiers, also known as air cleaners or air sanitizers, are designed to filter the air in a single room or area. They can help to improve indoor air quality by reducing indoor air pollution. However, it is important to note that they cannot remove all pollutants from the air, and proper ventilation with clean outdoor air is still necessary.

When selecting an air purifier, look for one that can filter out small particles of the greatest health concern, such as PM2.5. Some air purifiers can also filter out gases, which is an important feature to look for as certain gases can be dangerous. For example, carbon monoxide can emanate from combustion appliances like gas stoves or space heaters.

It is recommended to pair the use of an air purifier with other healthy living choices, such as using eco-friendly cleaning products to limit exposure to irritants and chemicals. Additionally, keeping windows and doors closed during periods of extreme outdoor air pollution can help protect your home from contaminated outside air.

Air purifiers can be particularly useful if you are unable to jettison your gas lines or if you do not have perfect exhaust ventilation. In these cases, it is crucial to have a working carbon monoxide detector and to ensure that your exhaust fan is venting outdoors.

Overall, air purifiers can be an effective tool to improve indoor air quality and protect your health, especially when used in conjunction with other strategies such as proper ventilation and source control.

Improving ventilation

There are several ways to improve ventilation, including natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, and infiltration. Natural ventilation involves opening windows and doors to let in outdoor air, which has fewer pollutants than indoor air. This can be combined with the use of ceiling fans to improve airflow, and window or attic fans to increase the outdoor ventilation rate. It is particularly important to increase ventilation when engaging in activities that generate high levels of pollutants, such as painting, cooking, or welding.

Mechanical ventilation relies on fans and mechanical systems to move air. This includes exhaust systems, such as bathroom or kitchen fans that vent outdoors, to remove contaminants directly from the room. Mechanical ventilation can also include larger systems that continuously remove indoor air and replace it with filtered and conditioned outdoor air. Newer, advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may include features to bring in outdoor air and dehumidify the indoor air. However, HVAC systems can also become contaminated with mould or bacteria and spread these pollutants throughout the home, so regular maintenance and duct sealing are important.

Infiltration is a process by which outdoor air flows into a building through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. While this can help to improve ventilation, it may also allow outdoor pollutants to enter the home, particularly if there are nearby sources of outdoor air pollution, such as busy freeways or factories.

In addition to these methods, there are other ways to improve ventilation and reduce indoor air pollution. Stand-alone air purifiers can effectively remove airborne contaminants in a confined space, and smart devices can monitor air quality and trigger ventilation when needed. It is also important to keep the indoor space clean, as good indoor hygiene can reduce the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and mould.

Using beeswax candles

Beeswax candles are a natural and renewable alternative to paraffin candles, which are made from a by-product of petroleum refining. Paraffin candles are highly toxic and release harmful toxins, such as toluene and benzene, into the air.

Beeswax candles, on the other hand, burn cleaner and do not release toxic byproducts when burned. They produce a brighter, more natural flame with less soot and have a pleasant, mild aroma. They also have a lower melting point, reducing the risk of accidental burns.

One of the main claims surrounding beeswax candles is their ability to act as an air purifier by releasing negative ions. These negative ions are believed to attach to positively charged particles, such as dust, pollen, mould, and toxins, in the air, causing them to become heavier and fall to the ground. This process is thought to reduce indoor pollutants and improve air quality, benefiting those with allergies, asthma, and hay fever.

However, it is important to note that the evidence for the air-purifying effects of beeswax candles is limited and disputed. While some studies have found that beeswax candles emit fewer particulate pollutants than paraffin candles, others have found that they still produce soot and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Professor Delphine Farmer, a specialist in Atmospheric Chemistry, states that there is no evidence in the scientific literature to support the claim that beeswax candles release negative ions.

Overall, while beeswax candles offer a healthier and more sustainable alternative to paraffin candles, the extent of their air-purifying capabilities remains uncertain.

Growing houseplants

Firstly, it's worth noting that the belief that houseplants can clean indoor air stems from a 1989 NASA study that examined ways to purify air in the closed, limited environment of a space station. While the study found that plants could absorb carbon dioxide and remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the findings may not translate directly to real-life settings. Scaling up from a test chamber to a typical house would require a significant number of plants, and factors like lighting, temperature, and plant species can impact their effectiveness.

However, plants can still offer some benefits in improving air quality. They act as natural air filters, removing pollutants through processes like absorption, dilution, precipitation, and filtration. This includes the removal of harmful gases like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Additionally, plants can increase humidity in dry environments, which can be beneficial for respiratory health.

When it comes to growing houseplants for air purification, it's essential to consider the specific conditions of your indoor environment. Plants may not address particulates or microorganisms effectively, and their ability to remove high concentrations of pollutants may be limited compared to mechanical air purifiers.

To maximize the benefits of houseplants, choose species known for their air-purifying abilities, such as spider plants, philodendrons, English ivy, and peace lilies. Ensure you provide the necessary care, including regular watering, pruning, and drainage to prevent mould growth. Keep the leaves dust-free to avoid distributing dust particles and potential toxic pollutants into the air.

In conclusion, while growing houseplants can be a natural and cost-effective way to improve air quality, it should be combined with other proven methods of reducing indoor air pollution. This includes source control, increasing ventilation, and using mechanical air purifiers when necessary.

Using activated charcoal

Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a fine black powder made from materials such as peat, bones, coconut shells, wood, coal, petroleum coke, sawdust, or olive pits. Each of these substances produces a slightly different type of charcoal. The charcoal is then processed at very high temperatures, altering its internal structure and increasing its surface area, which in turn makes it highly porous.

Activated charcoal's highly porous structure allows it to absorb toxins, odors, and pollutants from the air, making it perfect for use alongside the best air purifiers. Small bowls of activated charcoal can be placed in areas with poor ventilation, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Charcoal air-purifying bags can also be hung in closets or placed in shoes or cars to keep these spaces fresh. Unlike synthetic air fresheners, activated charcoal eliminates odors by trapping offending particles.

Activated charcoal can also be used to purify water. It works by trapping impurities, toxins, and chemicals in its porous structure, resulting in cleaner, safer drinking water. Many water filtration systems use activated charcoal to remove contaminants such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals.

Activated charcoal is a natural, chemical-free, odorless, and non-toxic air purifier that does not trigger any reactions or allergies. By eliminating toxins, it significantly improves indoor air quality, which has a direct impact on your health. Poor indoor air quality can cause various issues, including rashes, watery eyes, headaches, respiratory problems, and asthma.

Frequently asked questions