Is the Air in Your Home Polluted?

Did you know that we spend as much as 75% to 90% of our time indoors? Indoor air pollution is more toxic than outdoor as indoor air is much more concentrated as it is in a confined space.

Poor indoor air quality has been known as Sick Building Syndrome.

Poor indoor air can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Some people after long term exposure to bad indoor air develop respiratory and heart diseases.

Sources of indoor air pollution are:

1. Fungus, mold and mildew

• Mold spores are everywhere. And they enter our home through the doorways, windows and air conditioning system. They can even land on us, our clothes and bags when we are outside. We then bring them indoors with us. 
• Fungus, mold and mildew survive and thrive in humid and damp environment. Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept ideally below 60 percent. 30% to 50% is perfect. Not only does low humidity discourage fungus, mold and mildew, it also discourages cockroaches and dust mites too. 
• A dehumidifier will work in humid homes. 
• Click on LINK to read about the toxic effects of indoor mold.

      2. Tobacco smoke

• *Exposure to second hand smoke exposes one to 4000 over chemical compounds! (*taken from HERE)
• There is no way to minimise the effects of second-hand smoke. The only way is to not smoke. 
• Click on LINK to read more on smoke-free homes.

     3. VOCs

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that easily become gas or vapours. Even though they are released from burning fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal and natural gasses, they are also released from many consumer products.
• Some examples of consumer products are solvents, paint and thinners, adhesives, hobby and craft supplies, glues, wood preservatives, household cleaners and disinfectants, moth repellants, air fresheners, pesticides and building materials and furnishings. 
• Formaldehyde is one of the most common VOCs. 
• Click HERE to read more about VOCs. 
• Click on this YouTube LINK to watch about man-made VOCs.
• There are now low VOCs house paint which are sold today. 

     4. Radiation

• *Construction materials such as bricks, cement blocks, granite, marble and glazed tiles contain uranium and thorium which are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM). (*taken from HERE)
• These two elements undergo natural decaying process. During this process, they emit several types of radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma rays. 
• Apparently even toilet bowls contain radioactive materials and there's no running away from it!
• To read more about indoor radiation and how to protect oneself, click on LINK.

In order for indoor air to be of good quality, one must ventilate the house. Opening windows and doors to allow outdoor air to clear the stagnant indoor air is a must! And if it's a new home you're moving into, allow the house and furniture to off-gas as much possible with good ventilation before moving in.

On bad days where outdoor air is bad, air cleaners (air purifiers/ionisers) play a great role in helping maintaining good indoor air.

Some say that indoor plants help with maintaining good air quality. But wet/damp soil and bugs will be another set of problem.

Click on the links below to read more about indoor air pollution:

Breathe Easier

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Making A Healthier Home

Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Breathing

*picture taken from HERE

An advertisement on fresh air.