Air pollution is a global issue, and it’s not just the pollution outside that we need to worry about. Household air pollution is a major issue that many people are unaware of. It refers to the harmful pollutants that are present in the air inside our homes, which can have detrimental effects on our health. What is household air pollution and why should you keep an eye on it?
- What is household air pollution?
- Household air pollution and health – what’s the connection?
- How to reduce household air pollution?
- The takeaway
What is household air pollution?
When talking about the household air pollution definition, it needs to be mentioned that it refers to the harmful gasses, chemicals, and other pollutants that are present in the air inside our homes. It can come from a variety of sources, including cooking with solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, or dung, burning candles or incense, using certain cleaning products, and smoking tobacco products indoors.
Household air pollution and health – what’s the connection?
Breathing in polluted air can cause a range of health problems, including:
- respiratory infections,
- heart disease,
- stroke,
- lung cancer,
- problems with concentration,
- nausea,
- breathing difficulties and more.
Children and women who are exposed to household air pollution are particularly vulnerable and can develop lifelong respiratory issues. For this reason, it’s crucial to do everything in our power to improve indoor air quality. How to do it?
How to reduce household air pollution?
Since there’s a close correlation between household air pollution and health, it’s crucial to take available measures to improve the quality of air we breathe in.
Here are some ways to do it:
- ventilate your home by opening windows and using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove pollutants,
- dust, mop, and vacuum regularly to remove dust and other particles,
- use natural cleaning products instead of chemical-based products that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
The takeaway
Household air pollution is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It can have detrimental effects on our health, therefore, it’s important to take steps to reduce pollution by using clean cooking fuels, improving ventilation, and avoiding smoking indoors.
Make sure you use special air quality sensors to stay in the loop and decide responsibly!