An Invisible Threat: Silent Risks of Indoor Air Pollution
More often than not, the topic of air pollution most commonly revolves around harmful gases or poor air quality outdoors. Yet, it may come as a surprise that even indoor spaces are not immune to the effects of air pollution.
Little do we know that behind walls, we have enclosed ourselves with the silent threat of indoor air pollution. Invisible and insidious, indoor air pollution is common enough to occur from even the most commonplace of sources.
Here are some common causes of indoor air pollution, identifying their most rampant areas and effective solutions in preventing them or minimising its impact for a healthier living environment within your home.
- Dust & Debris
Often in common areas like the living room and dining room, thick layers of dust tend to accumulate over time on ceiling fans, refrigerators or other home appliances. Dust and debris from the outdoors, most commonly from traffic or construction sites, could also enter the house through open doors and windows.
Though oftentimes difficult to reach, cleaning home appliances on a routine would be ideal to prevent accumulation of dust. Cleaning the accumulated dust on the fan with a damp cloth is recommended on a monthly basis, or whenever a substantial amount of dust becomes noticeable.
2. Cooking Odours
Oil stains and moisture can accumulate over time near the stove, or any areas where cooking is involved. This forms a sticky surface from oil and grease, producing significant smells over time.
It is advisable to keep the kitchen hood or air ventilator on while using the kitchen to minimise spread of kitchen odours. Always keep the trash can clean and dry by regularly taking them out. Keeping the kitchen or cooking areas clean when not in use will reduce the amount of work involved in cleaning up each time.
3. Cleaning Agents
Often from bleach, hydrogen peroxide or other heavy duty stain removers, these cleaning agents produce strong, pungent smells from chemical substances that are harmful to the human body system when inhaled. Using pesticides isn’t only bad for plant health, our human bodies are also at risk when inhaled or consumed.
Use homemade or organic cleaning agents for a more sustainable home maintenance routine, less pungent and environmental friendly.
Some common natural ingredients that make good cleaning agents are lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar mixture or salt. Lemon juice can effectively remove rust while a baking soda and vinegar mix can fix clogged pipes and remove hard stains, making it a versatile and easy-to-make homemade cleaning agent.
4. Excess Moisture in Ducts or Vents
Growth of mould and mildew from excessive moisture will lead to a musty odour when cool air is blown through the air conditioner ducts. This often happens when the weather is cooler with a higher humidity level outside.
Regularly clean the coils and have the air filters replaced or conduct maintenance checkups. To get a better understanding on how to properly clean the air conditioner, check out the article below. Attach HVAC Cleaning Tips Article link from Oct W3
5. New Paint
Although this doesn’t occur on a daily basis, the smell of new paint can be quite pungent once you coat your walls with a fresh, new sheen of your preferred colour.
This process is known as “off-gassing”, where the solvents found in paints dissipate into the air as they dry up.
A quick and easy way to get rid of the smell of paint is to place a few bowls of baking soda near the walls of a newly painted room and leave them overnight. This allows the baking soda to fully absorb the smell of paint.
In some cases, our furniture or home decor placed inside a newly painted room may have absorbed the smell of the paint. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the carpets or furniture that has absorbed the paint’s odour and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before vacuuming or cleaning it with a damp cloth.
Health Issues Related to Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution is typically not life-threatening, but it can lead to respiratory irritation, which in turn may result in significant health issues in the long run.
Health risks associated with poor air quality indoors include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, which are sensitive towards dust mites and prone to respiratory diseases.
Let’s look at 3 of the most common health issues that may occur.
Asthma
A condition that can be triggered through exposure to indoor air pollutants, asthma is life-threatening and can lead to recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing.
Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye
The presence of dust mites in the air may cause inflammation to the eyes, resulting in the swelling of blood vessels inside the eyes. This may cause itchiness and the urge to rub them. In some cases, extensive rubbing of the eyes may cause tiny blood vessels in the eyes to burst.
Sinusitis
A common nasal inflammation that most people suffer from, sinus problems may also be the cause of indoor air pollution, leading to increased congestion and inflammation in the sinuses.
This often occurs when tiny particles or dust mites are inhaled, leading to breathing difficulties.
As Malaysians, much as we are blessed with an all-year round tropical climate, we also find joy in staying indoors within the comfort of our homes. It is important to protect ourselves from external air pollution, ensuring that we breathe in clean air indoors is also crucial for our health and wellbeing.
Breathe clean as we stay in.
