When the term air pollution is mentioned, most Aussies think about the thick smog hanging over large cities like Hong Kong and Beijing. Well, we hate to break it to you, but air pollution is an issue much closer to home…in fact, it’s right inside your home!
Studies from the EPA say that air pollution in our homes can be up to 100x worse than the air outside. Common indoor culprits include gas stovetops as they release invisible VOCs as they burn, scented cleaning agents and air fresheners and floor vanishes which release VOCs after they’ve been applied.
Air pollution is an often-overlooked impact on our health and wellbeing, so it’s important to take simple steps to make the air we’re breathing the best it can possibly be.
What Can You Do
Ventilation
When you are cooking up a storm in the kitchen the NSW Government recommends using overhead exhaust fans to reduce air pollution. And the same goes for when you are having a steamy shower, pair that with spray on deodorants and perfumes and you create a haven for mould – crank up the overhead fan to remove any excess harmful pollutants.
Purify The Air
And while you’d think that the majority of airway offenders are found outdoors, air in the average home can be up to five times more polluted1. It sounds kind of terrifying but dealing with the issue doesn’t have to be daunting. Look for an air purifier that not only purifies but captures pollutant particles. WH recommends the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link purifier fan. Dyson’s HEPA filter captures 99.95% of fine particles2 (like allergens and pollutants) and gasses (like formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and naphthalene) found around your home.
Cleaning Products
Grimy kitchen tops and the leftover crumbs on your dining table are heaven for airborne nasties keep on top of it by wiping down surfaces after you’ve eaten. And whilst you might love the freshly lemony scent from your favourite household cleaner this could be doing more harm than good, ditch the scented products and look for natural cleaning products. Don’t forget to regularly give your floors a good mop with hot water and give your carpets and rugs a good vacuum.
1 Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research
2 Particle capture tested to EN1822. Gaseous capture tested to JEM 1467 (acetic acid, acetaldehyde, ammonia) and GB/T18801 (formaldehyde, benzene) and DTM-003282 (NO2). Gaseous capture rates vary.
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