Indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than outside air… How to improve air quality?
What if the air we breathe every day is threatening our health? We think that air pollution is mainly caused by external factors such as cars and factories, but surprisingly, indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than outside air. There are even statistics showing that 4 million people die worldwide every year due to this. In particular, as the weather gets colder, ventilation is decreasing. Let’s learn about ways to eliminate factors that worsen indoor air and maintain healthy air.
Ventilation is the easiest first step.
Bringing fresh air into your home is the most important step in improving indoor air quality. A well-heated and well-insulated house is prone to lack of ventilation due to little outside air intake. Even in winter, you should open your windows at least for 10 minutes to let in fresh air and prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. In particular, ventilation must be provided when using harsh chemical detergents or when painting. According to a Harvard University study, replacing furniture containing hazardous substances with furniture made of healthy materials reduces toxic dust in the air by 78%. When purchasing new furniture, it is also a good idea to ensure thorough ventilation and use used furniture.
Use chemical-free cleaning products
Cleaning is important to maintain your health, but some cleaning products can actually harm your health. Many household detergents contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). This can cause headaches, allergies, and respiratory problems, which can lead to lung cancer, brain disease, and cardiovascular disease in the long term. Even for ‘eco-friendly’ products, you must carefully check the ingredients. This is because some eco-friendly detergents still contain harmful ingredients. Experts recommend checking before purchasing using databases such as the Cleaning Project Ingredient Safety Initiative (CPISI), which can verify ingredient safety.
Air purifier installation
No matter how thoroughly you clean, it is difficult to remove fine dust that is invisible to the naked eye. An air purifier filters out these ultra-fine dust particles and circulates clean air. It is especially effective for people with allergies or households with pets. Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters remove ultrafine particles with an efficiency of 99.97%, and products with an anion emission function also help neutralize viruses and bacteria. Using an appropriate air purifier is effective in relieving symptoms of respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies.
Use non-toxic paint
Paint is one of the main factors polluting indoor air. Most paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which emit toxic gases for a long time after application. VOCs can have fatal effects on the liver, lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
Experts recommend using water-based paints or non-toxic paints that contain no VOCs. These products do not contain harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, or ammonia. In particular, brands such as Lackland and Faro & Ball provide 100% eco-friendly paint and are evaluated as choices that take both health and the environment into consideration.
Moisture management and condensation prevention
To maintain indoor air quality, moisture must be thoroughly managed. Excessive moisture not only becomes a breeding ground for mold, but also causes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to be released into the air. According to research, mold, mites, and bacteria multiply in humid environments, which increases the likelihood of causing respiratory diseases, cough, and asthma.
Since mold mainly grows in humid spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, you should use an exhaust fan or open a window to ventilate. After showering, it is important to immediately wipe off any remaining moisture and cover the pot with a lid to reduce moisture generated during cooking.
Drying laundry indoors is also one of the main causes of increased moisture. Wet clothes should be dried outdoors or using a dryer. Additionally, maintaining the indoor temperature at around 18 to 21 degrees in winter will help prevent condensation and control moisture.
Using a dehumidifier in humid spaces is also a good idea. In particular, installing a dehumidifier in a room with insufficient insulation where condensation frequently occurs or in a space adjacent to an exterior wall can suppress mold growth. However, indoor plants require frequent watering and can generate moisture, so be careful not to over-place them.
Source: kormedi.com
