Según datos de 2019 publicados por el informe The Lancet Commision on Pollution and Health, la contaminación provoca en todo el mundo cerca de 9 millones de muertes al año. La mayoría de ellas (en torno a 2 de cada 3) originadas por la mala calidad del aire, tanto en el espacio doméstico como ambiental.
Therefore, air quality is a matter of great importance that directly affects our well-being and health, especially if we live in cities—the major sources of these pollutants. And while living with pollution is unavoidable when we go outside, at least we have more options to combat it when we’re inside our homes.
In this post, we at Culmia are going to share some tips on how you can improve the air quality in your home, so you can breathe easily without worrying about harming your health.
How does poor air quality affect our bodies?
Breathing air from an atmosphere with high levels of pollution can cause various symptoms in our bodies. Specifically, in order from most to least common and from least to most serious: discomfort, physiological changes of uncertain significance, pathophysiological changes, morbidity, and, in extreme cases—as we have already noted— mortality.
In September 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) published new guidelines on air quality, with the aim of preventing the millions of deaths that occur each year around the world. These guidelines recommend quality standards for six pollutants for which recent data on their health effects are available, and highlight the associated health risks of particulate matter with diameters of 10 and 2.5 micrometers (µm) or less (PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅, respectively).
The reason is that these particulate matter (PM) particles, generated primarily by the combustion of fuels in various sectors, can penetrate deep into the lungs. And, in the specific case of PM₂.₅, they can even enter the bloodstream, thereby affecting the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as other organs in the body.
Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality
Therefore, the goal is to ensure that the air inside our home does not contain airborne particles that are harmful to our bodies. These include the ones we just mentioned, as well as others derived from chemicals that may be present in the home—such as paints, varnishes, etc.—from building materials, mold, or the use of household appliances.
This is something we can achieve in different ways:
Cleaning Regularly
Dust can be a source of hazardous toxic substances, so we should try to prevent it from accumulating in our homes. It’s a good idea to clean each room regularly —at least once a week—to remove dust and promote good air quality.
Improving Ventilation
The better our home is ventilated, the lower the concentration of harmful particles in the air will be. Experts recommend opening the main doors and windows of the home at least two or three times a day, unless you have allergies or the temperatures are extreme. Alternatively, you can use an air conditioning system with a filtration system.
Furnishing and decorating the home with paintings and objects that are low in volatile organic compounds
As noted by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) , “volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are all hydrocarbons that exist in a gaseous state at normal room temperature or that are highly volatile at that temperature. An organic compound may be considered a VOC if, at 20°C, it has a vapor pressure of 0.01 kPa or higher, or an equivalent volatility under the specific conditions of use.”
These may be present in activities that involve the use of organic solvents, such as those involving paints and varnishes, or in the steel, wood, household, or pharmaceutical industries. This should encourage us to learn about the composition of the furniture and items we buy for our homes, as well as the paints and varnishes we use to customize them to our liking.
Using Houseplants
A recent study has concluded that having indoor plants can help reduce levels of one of the most common pollutants, nitrogen dioxide (NO2). In this case, it was found that this effect reduced the amount of this substance in the air by up to 20%, both in homes and offices. Notably, the study also revealed that this beneficial effect is independent of the specific plant species chosen, as all plants demonstrated the ability to remove NO2.
Avoiding Smoking Indoors
Tobacco is also an enemy of good air quality, because smoking produces smoke that contains a large number of substances harmful to health. That’s why it’s best to smoke outdoors —such as on a balcony or by a window—or, if that’s not possible, in specific areas that can be properly ventilated afterward.
Using air-circulating devices or air purifiers
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, solutions for sterilizing, disinfecting, and refreshing the air in our homes have become very popular. There are currently a wide variety of options and alternatives available, so you’ll just need to research each one to determine which one best suits the specific needs of your home.
Installing a Kitchen Range Hood
The kitchen is a critical area for indoor air quality in our home, since cooking food can produce substances that are harmful to our bodies. That’s why having an exhaust system in this space —which is also useful in the bathroom—is more of a necessity than a luxury, since it allows us to remove gases and fumes and reduce humidity.
Measuring Indoor Air Quality
There are small devices—both wall-mounted and tabletop models—that can help you maintain optimal air quality in your home. These are monitors, tools that can track parameters such as temperature, humidity, or carbon dioxide concentration so you know when to take action by opening windows, turning on your ventilation system, or activating an air purifier.
Keep your home’s air quality in mind for a better quality of life
So now you know: paying attention to the air quality in your home will not only help you feel better today, but it will likely also help you lead a healthier life. That’s why we recommend putting our tips into practice to improve it and letting us know in the comments what results you get. We look forward to hearing from you!
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