We all know the importance of regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and other wellness tips for maintaining good health, but what about the air we breathe? According to The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), indoor air quality (IAQ) is a global issue with both short and long-term exposure to indoor air pollution causing a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits, and cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also estimates that household air pollution is responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, attributable to the harmful indoor air from dirty cookstoves and fuel. In this article, we’ll explore how clean indoor air can boost your health and well-being by offering practical tips for improving the air quality in your home.
What Is Indoor Air Pollution?
Indoor air can be contaminated by a number of pollutants, including dust, mold, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints, cleaning products, and new furniture. These pollutants can trigger allergies, cause respiratory problems such as asthma, and even cause long-term health problems such as lung cancer. Along with affecting your physical health, poor IAQ can also impact your mental health, causing headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
The Benefits of Clean Indoor Air
Clean indoor air can have several positive effects on your overall health and well-being. These include the following:
- Better Respiratory Health – Clean indoor air can lower the risk of respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, and lung infections.
- Increased Focus and Energy – Poor air quality can contribute to fatigue and difficulty concentrating, while clean air can help to improve mental clarity and boost energy levels.
- Better Sleep – Indoor air quality can influence the quality of sleep with some studies highlighting the importance of focusing on the IAQ of sleeping environments as a way of improving sleep quality.
- Enhanced Mood – Poor IAQ can negatively impact our mood and emotions and studies such as the one from the University of Washington have found there to be a link between mental health and IAQ.
How to Improve Your IAQ
Air Purifiers
Investing in an air purifier such as an Alen 75i can help to improve your IAQ by capturing harmful pollutants from the air, improving its cleanliness, and promoting overall health and well-being.
Regular Cleaning
Keeping up with cleaning will help to reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your home. Using natural cleaning products or alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils will ensure you do not release harsh chemicals and VOCs into your indoor air.
Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation can improve IAQ by reducing pollutants in the air. Natural ventilation such as opening doors and windows as well as installing exhaust fans can ensure your home is adequately ventilated at all times.
Check Humidity Levels
High humidity can lead to the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, which can compromise IAQ. Ensuring your humidity levels are between 30% to 50% will help to keep moisture levels in check and maintain good indoor air.
By taking the steps above you can help improve the IAQ of your home and enjoy the many benefits that cleaner air offers.
