Indoor Air Pollution: Does it really exist?

We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air inside our house or office could be equally polluted.

According to the 2014 World Health Organization report, air pollution in 2012 caused deaths of around 7 million people worldwide. It also states that air circulating in our homes can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Such pollution is often associated with diseases, allergies, rashes, fatigue, headaches and cognitive disorders.
 

Indoor air quality is equally vital to our everyday lives and health and should also be of equal concern

Air fresheners, adhesives, paints, toilet cleaners, pet shedding, and dust mites are some examples of indoor air pollutants. The good news is that indoor air pollution is easily manageable provided you follow certain steps that would help to make your home safe and healthy.

Invest in good Air Purifiers
Opening windows for ventilation in your home or office may not be always possible due to allergies and rising temperatures. Considering the right air purifiers with H12 graded filters and multi-layered thick anti flu HEPA filters help eliminate minute particles and diseases.

Minimize air freshener use
People love fragrances but it affects the air quality to a great level. Artificial air fresheners have allergens that aggravate in the indoor air associating to asthma and allergy attacks.

Dust surfaces and vacuum frequently
Dust carry bacteria, mold, pet dander, mites and pollen and therefore it is highly recommended to clean thoroughly to improve air quality and reduce these pollutants.

Make use of exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchens
Humid air in the kitchens and bathrooms increases the chances of indoor occupants like mold and mildew. Such particles can lead to chronic illnesses like cold, persistent cough, and fungal infections. Installation of exhaust fans in the kitchen will reduce the chances of bacteria formation.

Remove shoes at the door
Removing shoes at the door can reduce dust, microorganisms and outdoor pollutants by 50%. Try practicing this simple routine of removing your shoes outside, which can reduce air pollutants to a substantial level.

There are certain mechanics that are used to measure air quality known as Air Quality Indexes that helps you understand the level of pollution you are dealing with.

It is divided into 6 categories:

An AQI value of 50 represents good air quality with less chances to pose harm to human health, while an AQI value of over 300 represents hazardous air quality.An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard, which is the level Environmental Protection Agency has set to protect public health. To make your life easier Coway brings you the best of the art technology that helps you achieve the ideal Air Quality Score and provide fresh air in your surroundings.

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/17-simple-ways-prevent-air-pollution-home/ 
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/easy-and-effective-ways-to-reduce-indoor-air-pollution.php, https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi)

Image Sources:

Google Images.

https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=aqibasics.aqi