By Cass McFoley
Is Your Indoor Air Making You Ill? Air pollution is now the 4th highest cause of mortality worldwide, with deaths in India reaching 1.61 million in 2016. Specifically, indoor air pollution in the country is far worse than outdoor air pollution and this means that inhabitants are exposed to the ill effects of inhaling airborne pollutants. From housewives cooking in kitchens to kids playing games in the study, everyone is exposed to the health hazards of polluted air. Indoor air pollution can make people sick and addressing air pollution concerns is vital in reducing health risks.
Sometimes Unseen Yet Deadly
One of the biggest sources of pollution in homes is the burning of firewood and cow dung. It affects 80% of rural households that depend on biomass fuels for cooking or heating according to Seghal. Unfortunately, houses in the countryside have poor ventilation, meaning that smoke coming from burning remains indoors and inhabitants inhale these toxic fumes. Eye irritation, coughing, headaches, breathing problems and other allergic reactions are the symptoms of smoke inhalation. Proximity to cooking stoves results in respiratory problems, while chronic exposure to biomass fuels is associated with cardiovascular diseases, according to Painschab et al.
Other sources of indoor air pollution include semi and volatile organic compounds from resins, waxes, polishing materials and cosmetics. Mites, dust, molds and pollen also contribute to indoor air pollution making it 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution according to a study by Kankaria et al. Deaths and illnesses associated with indoor air pollution include respiratory diseases, COPD, still births and cancer.
The Fight Against Pollutants
Educating the public about the hazards of indoor air pollution is an important strategy in mitigating the harmful health and environmental effects of bad air. Changes in fuel consumption behavior have already been adopted intensively by the government of India in an effort to aggressively attack the problem of smoke inhalation from biomass fuels. Subsidies for cleaner fuels were provided by the government to help households make the switch and reduce the health burden of toxic and poisonous fumes.
There are some things, too that you can do at home to improve the quality of air. For example, proper ventilation assists in dissipating toxic air and replacing it with cleaner air from the outside. Other ways to reduce indoor air pollution include airing your home at regular intervals, installing indoor water fountains, investing in air purifiers and putting up plants inside houses. While some options may cost money, you can also make simple lifestyle changes such as avoiding smoking indoors or refraining from using craft supplies in closed spaces.
Indoor air pollution is a concern that must be taken seriously since it affects the health of everyone who comes in close contact with harmful particulate matter. By educating people about their presence, health risks are reduced. Moreover, households can also take simple yet effective solutions in combatting air pollution including proper ventilation, and dusting homes regularly.
Keep your home fresh with indoor plants
