Most of America spends 90% of their time indoors, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to 100x more polluted than outdoor air. Of course we know that fresh air is good for us, but what makes our indoor air so much worse?
There are many things in our homes that can contribute to poor air quality and we might not even realize it.
The EPA shared that the top indoor air pollutants commonly found in American homes include inadequate ventilation, indoor activities (household products), and radon.
A lack of ventilation can significantly contribute to poor indoor air quality by allowing pollutants to accumulate and remain trapped indoors. Ventilation plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy indoor environment by facilitating the exchange of indoor and outdoor air. Poor ventilation can lead to a buildup of pollutants, increased humidity, trapped odors, and carbon dioxide buildup.
Activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, and using certain household products can release pollutants into the air, affecting indoor air quality. Cooking activities can release airborne particles, grease, and cooking odors into the air. Burning food or using gas stoves without proper ventilation can also produce carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are harmful indoor air pollutants. We should all know the negative effects of smoking by now, especially indoors. Smoking indoors introduces a plethora of harmful chemicals and toxins into the air, including secondhand smoke, which contains carcinogens and can linger in the environment long after smoking has stopped.
Cleaning your house sounds like it would increase the indoor air quality but what are you cleaning with? Many household cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that can off-gas and contribute to indoor air pollution. Similarly, aerosol sprays like air fresheners, deodorants, and hairsprays can release VOCs into the air, impacting indoor air quality. These compounds can contribute to respiratory problems and allergic reactions, using these products in poorly ventilated spaces can lead to respiratory and skin irritations and other health issues.
Another air pollutant is Radon. You might be asking what is that? Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment as a byproduct of the decay of uranium in soil and rocks. It is considered a significant health hazard when high concentrations are present indoors, primarily in enclosed spaces like homes and buildings. Radon can enter homes and buildings through the natural decay process of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Once it enters a home, it can become trapped and build up to harmful levels, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Regular testing for radon levels is essential to identify if mitigation measures are needed to reduce exposure and ensure a healthier indoor environment for occupants
Now that we know there are MANY contributors to our indoor air quality – how do we ensure that we are breathing in quality air?
Here are a few things we can do in our homes to improve our quality of air:
- Air purifiers and plants – these are a great way to help filter the air. Snake plants are affordable and easy to keep alive.
- Leaving your shoes at the door – these costs you nothing and keeps harmful chemicals from outside from migrating indoors.
- Regularly checking for mold
- Avoid air fresheners – this can be a hard one to ditch, but they contain harmful forever chemical. Opt for essential oil diffusers or a simmer pot instead!
- Switch to non-toxic cleaners – again, another hard one to ditch as you might have a favorite cleaner but this is such an easy thing to swap and makes all the difference! Here are a few non toxic brands we love and use daily!
- Doterra
- TrulyFree
- Branch Basics
- ECOS
- Earthley
- Dr. Bronners
- Attitude