While it is true that pollution is on the outside, it is also in the air that you breathe inside your house.
I have heard a lot of people saying that they’re safe from pollution if they’re inside, and I just sit there wondering if they know how air works.
Offices, homes, schools, and any of the other indoor places that exist are polluted.
Lead, radon, formaldehyde, fire-retardants, and chemicals from fragrances are some of the most common ways that the air indoors becomes polluted.
But don’t worry.
There are solutions to problems, and I, for one, have some solutions that you can apply to make the air around you a tad bit cleaner.
1. Maintain Humidity Levels
When the humidity levels inside your home fluctuate from being less than 30% and more than 50%, the chances of mold, dust mites, and other allergens increases. This can be a risky business. You should try using a dehumidifier that works towards reducing the moisture inside your house. In the summers, you could try the same with the AC. You will see that the pollen count indoors also decreases.
If you really want to dehumidify your home, then take these into consideration as well:
- Make sure you are not overwatering your house plants.
- The drip pans that come with your AC and dehumidifier should be emptied regularly.
- Whenever you cook, keep a window in the kitchen open or use the exhaust fan. This also applies if you’re taking a shower.
- To ensure that mold stays away, get your leaky pipes fixed.
- The vent of the clothes dryer should face outside.
2. Do the Radon Test
A lot of homes are seen to have the same issue, no matter if it is an old or new home, radon problem. Radon, necessarily, is a gas that is odorless and colorless. It is a rising cause of lung cancer in several countries. This risk increases significantly if you are a smoker. Here’s why. The gas is radioactive and is known to move from the soil into your home. When the uranium in the soil begins to decay naturally, the gas has nowhere to go except your house. This is why most people would not prefer to live in airtight and drafty homes.
In fact, even countertops that boast granite have been associated with being the cause of radon problems. Now, it has not been determined whether the gas from these countertops is enough to cause cancer or not; it certainly is harmful at some levels.
3. Clean Floors
When you regularly mop up your floors, the dust is picked up in the stick. You don’t even have to use any sort of cleaners or soaps to do so plain water is enough to do the trick. There are several microfiber mops available in the market today that you may check out. To ensure that your floors remain clean for the most part, you should keep a mat at every door that leads inside the house. When people see a mat, they automatically wipe their shoes, leaving most of the dirt and pollutants on it.
4. No Smoking Rules
Second-hand cigarette smoke is one of the significant causes of indoor pollution. Each person living in the home will be affected by it. The smoke that is produced by one cigarette contains about 4000 chemicals, which lead to various respiratory problems, cancer, asthma, and in children, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In adults, the risk of heart attacks and stroke increases significantly. Avoid smoking inside the house as much as you can, and use nicotine patches and support groups when trying to quit the addiction.
5. Natural Fragrances
A lot of fragrances that you find in the market today contain petroleum products in them. These have not been tested to understand the health issues that would arise from the smoke that will be inhaled by the user. For those products that have been tested, a group of chemicals known as phthalates were found in them, which caused disruption in hormones in animals. There is a high chance that they would harm us as well. Try using:
- Open up the windows in your house to let out the chemicals collected inside your home. Fresh air and cross-ventilation work well.
- Naturally scented laundry products should be good for your health.
- Add house plants to your decor and add a little more oxygen inside your house. They work as natural air purifiers and do not cost as much.
- Deodorants, carpet cleaners, hair sprays, etc. add to the amount of indoor pollution.
There’s only so much I can say to you.
Taking care of yourself is on you, and if you want to keep yourself and your family healthy, then you must consider the points that I have shared with you.
A lot of cleaning agents are also contributors, while some of the pollutants can also be tracked inside homes. Several pollutants may enter your home via new furniture, paint, and carpet cleaners.
I’m not going to say that these are avoidable things, in fact, they are essential, but we should reduce the frequency of using and buying these materials.
I hope you decide to make a change in your lifestyle and lead a healthier life.
Author Bio:
Aadarsh Sharma is closely associated with Pranayam Lung and Heart Institute. He is also a fitness expert and is passionate about writing to educate. He is an avid reader and likes to share his thoughts on healthy habits through his highly informative blogs.