Domestic pollution: what it is and the most dangerous substances

Between home, office, restaurants and supermarkets, most of us spend at least 80% of our time in closed environments. But did you know that even when we are in our “home refuge” we are regularly exposed to dangerous substances and at a high rate of indoor pollution? Well yes, even if we tend to forget it or ignore the problem altogether, in reality our homes are full of domestic pollutantssome of which can be very harmful to your health.

It is estimated that the air in our homes contains hundreds or even thousands of potentially dangerous substances, and do you know where some of the most common ones come from? From the detergents we use every day and from the furniture in our homes.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Nevertheless Soaps and furniture are not the only polluting products from which we should protect ourselves. Let’s see what causes domestic pollution – also called “indoor pollution” – and the most dangerous substances that lurk in our homes.

Indoor Pollution: The 6 Most Common Causes

First of all, it will be useful to understand where household pollutants come from.

As you can imagine, a good portion of dangerous substances come from outside, from doors and windows. This is theoutdoor pollutionwhich makes its way into our homes, bringing with it fine dust, smog and pollen.

But elements already present within our four walls could also be polluting our homes. Common sources of household pollution I am:

1. Dust
2. Furniture and building materials: may contain substances such as asbestos, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds such as benzene and others;
3. Air heating or cooling systems: if not cleaned and maintained properly, these devices can become a source of pollution;
4. Food cooking activities
5. Detergents and household cleaning products: often contain toxic chemicals that are dangerous to your health. There are greater risks when these products are used incorrectly or in environments that are not sufficiently ventilated;
6. Passive smoking: involves the emission of millions of pollutants, such as nicotine and carcinogenic substances and irritating.

We have taken a look at some of the most common sources of domestic pollution, responsible for the emission of substances that are dangerous to the health of the inhabitants of the house. But what will be the most dangerous household pollutants? Let’s see some.

Household pollution: what are the most dangerous substances?

Among the most dangerous indoor pollutants, the most notable are undoubtedly fine dustthe formaldehydetobacco smoke, the carbon monoxide and other substances. Let’s look at them in more detail.

Particulate matter

These are substances of infinitesimal dimensions dispersed in the air, often produced by human activities such as fuel combustion.

These small substances can include allergens, fibers, heavy metals, silica, liquid and solid pollutants, and their health hazard varies depending on the size of the particles.

At the domestic level, the most significant manifestations derive from PM 2.5 and PM 10, whose presence is due to both external and domestic factors (indoor and outdoor pollution).

Carbon monoxide

Another dangerous substance that lurks in domestic environments is carbon monoxidea gas usually emitted from stoves, fireplaces and other systems, often due to clogged or malfunctioning drains.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas of natural origin difficult to detect, but it is often present in our homes, schools and workplaces. It comes from the subsoil, and can penetrate the lower floors of houses, such as in basementsespecially when there is no adequately insulated foundation or there are poorly sealed pipes.

In case of poor air exchange, radon in closed environments can reach high levels, representing a health hazard.

Although it is normally disposed of through proper ventilation of the rooms, in fact, continuous exposure to Radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. After cigarette smoking, radon is considered the main cause of lung cancer, together with asbestos and heavy metals.

Formaldehyde

The list of dangerous substances responsible for domestic pollution could go on forever. Among these is also the Formaldehydeone of the most common pollutants in buildings.

As explained by Ministry of Healththis substance can derive from combustion processes (from tobacco smoke or other sources), but is also emitted by materials often used for theinsulationis used in the Chipboard and plywood furniturein the tapestriesparquet o moquette e textiles of various kinds.

This substance is one of the compounds of the Group I according to IARC (certain carcinogens), and continuous exposure or exposure to high concentrations can significantly increase the risk of cancer, especially of the upper respiratory tract.

How to improve air quality at home?

Let’s take a look at some of the most dangerous household pollutants, but how can we protect our health from these and other substances? Generally speaking, it is always wise air the rooms regularly. It will be enough to open doors and windows that lead to the outside for a few minutes every day.

If you live in areas where the air is highly polluted, open your windows very early in the morning, when smog levels are lower.

Furthermore, when choosing products for cleaning the house it is better to opt for organic and chemical-free solutions. chemical pollutants. If you have furniture or upholstery in your home that contains formaldehyde, replace them with healthier alternatives if possible.

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