Sometimes it’s not easy to find homes that have air pollution because its light looks clean but it isn’t! Here, we will help you know what a clean house is and what indoor air pollution is!
What is indoor air pollution?
We all know what pollution is, isn’t it? It is the mixing of chemicals in the air and environment that makes unfavorable changes in the climate, weather, and air. The pollutants come mainly from factories of various kinds. The kind of Pollution can be heat, smoke, sound, anything that is harmful to the environment. But here in this article, we have to answer a very critical question, “Which of these buildings is most likely to have indoor air pollution?” Let’s learn about indoor air pollution first.
Indoor Air Pollution definition – Indoor air pollution is a very new term that came into being after the modern era started. With the increased usage of machinery and various electrical gadgets, indoor air pollution became a term of regular use and of utmost importance. This is important because, when we are outside, we are continuously facing pollution, but at least being at home needs to be pollution-free. Although the air is still polluted, in our times it is lesser. According to WHO the most harmful air pollution is indoor air pollution. That’s it, this sums up your answer to “What is indoor air pollution?”. So, let’s dig into the natural air pollutants at home.
What is natural indoor air pollutant?
Carbon monoxide is one of the considerably significant air contaminants that are the fundamental factor of indoor air pollution. Apart from this chemical, there are other factors and pollutants that need immediate attention.
Tobacco
It is one of the most common indoor air pollutants that we are negligent about. Smokers are always at risk, but non-smokers are at greater risk due to passive smoking. The particles and the harmful gas-emitting due to the burning of tobacco is a health hazard, but we don’t recognize it, yet!
However, the installation of air purifiers has made it possible to get rid of tobacco smoke promptly. The purifiers designed to get rid of your home’s air of smoke use activated carbon filters; therefore, they are affordable for every home. Whether you are an active smoker or exposed to secondary smoke, the air filters make life easy.
Combustible products
Some home usable products like heaters, dryers, had furnaces, etc emit, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, and water vapor. If the outlet is not ventilated properly for these gases to leave the house, they can cause back drafting and these combustible contaminants can enter your home.
Moisture
Yes, moisture can be a pollutant but obviously, it should be excess. Excessive moisture is a threat to indoor air health. The issue of excessive moisture generally occurs when the cold surfaces come in contact with warm air. This moisture collects in that specific place and helps the growth of molds, fungus, dust mites, and various other mites that feed on moisture. If your house has rich moisture, the rooms will feel wet and cold. This is generally called a damped walled that holds water in it. These walls also emit the same amount of mites and harmful pollutants in your room which is harmful to your health.
VOCs
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VOCs can be expanded as volatile organic compounds. When formaldehyde is released in the room from various surfaces like furniture, pesticides, gasoline, etc they can be a health threat. Did you know, body odor can also be an agent of indoor pollution. Indoor air quality affects health, comfort, mental peace, the wellbeing of the individual, and home are the most important Indoor air quality facts.
Which of these buildings is most likely to have indoor air pollution?
Every house has more or less degraded air quality which is due to a polluted environment outside, but there are some houses that have the highest chances of getting a poor indoor air quality. As we have already seen, houses that have more moisture, more electrical gadgets, and an unclean environment are prone to getting the lowest number in the air quality. It is, in fact, true that houses with poorly constructed air vents, or highly sealed windows, dusty floors, and damp walls are likely to have the best possible indoor pollution.
Hence, it’s important that every one of the homes in metropolitan cities should have carbon monoxide gas detector machines, airy rooms, frequently cleaned air filters, dust-free drapes, curtains, floors, carpets, sofas, and walls, etc. Many of the houses have degraded air quality, thanks to body odor! Therefore, one needs to keep in mind, to possess a lesser air quality degradation at home, you would like to possess clean and tidy rooms, clothes, sofas, literally every corner of the house! This can be your answer to “which of these buildings is most likely to have indoor air pollution?”.
How to protect buildings from indoor air pollution?
There are various ways to improve air quality standards, amongst which keep your clothes and yourself clean is very important. Body odor and dirty clothes can be a pollutant to indoor air. The damp and sweaty clothes are the storehouse/production house of various fungi and viruses that can harm your respiratory system. Hence, wash your clothes daily with soap.
How to improve indoor air quality?
There are various ways that can help one improve the indoor air quality but to do ao, one has to follow various measures. Below mentioned are the measures:
Keep your house clean
Cleaning the house doesn’t just mean cleaning the surfaces it does also mean to clean all the surfaces. Vacuuming carpets, sofas, beds, and other sitting arrangements will keep away dust. Keeping the dust away will ensure no family member has to face any respiratory disease like asthma. One of the most important areas that need cleaning regularly is the drapes and curtains because they catch dirt quickly and mostly. Cleaning and washing these areas will help you keep a healthy home.
Changing filters frequently
The filter of the heater or the AC catches the dust that needs frequent cleaning because it stays in there and helps in the growth of fungi or dust mites. These electrostatic air filters trap the airborne irritants and they recirculate in your house. Again the most common disease due to this could be asthma or any airborne lung disease.
Keep the windows open, let air and sunlight come in. Sunlight is the only way to keep away moisture and humidity out of your house!
