When you think of air pollution you probably, like me, immediately think of smokestacks billowing giant plumes of smoke out into the atmosphere. While that is a fair example, we often forget that the biggest risk we face is our own indoor air quality.

Yes, air that is long trapped and stagnant coupled with poor ventilation can create a cloud of toxicity right in your living room.

The Tough Facts You Need to Know

10 Air Pollution Sources You May Not Know

1. A Serious Risk

Indoor air quality is one of the biggest environmental risks to your health. The pollution found indoors can be as much as five times greater than that found outdoors. In extreme cases, it’s 100 times greater.

In addition to poor ventilation, air fresheners, household cleaners, and burning candles contribute to poor air quality.

2. Furniture

Before 2006, some furniture contained a toxic substance that was used as a flame retardant. These contribute to toxins in the air and now flame retardants continue to be in use but this one is a carcinogen that was banned in the US in the 70s (from children’s pyjamas). It’s dangerous when inhaled as a variety of other flame retardants.

3. Bad Air Freshener

It may provide you with a pleasant smell but they are seriously bad for you. The majority of air fresheners contain a variety of chemicals that contribute to respiratory ailments, disrupt hormone function, and even affect reproductive development.

4. Smoking and Cooking Smoke

Well, I guess most of us should already know the harms of smoking. If you are a smoker, you’d better to quick the bad habits as soon as possible. Or at least, try to control it step by step.

If you live with a smoker and are unable to escape with it, you should have an air purifier for smoke problem indoors. You also need to persuade you loved one to smoke outside and help his to quit it if possible.

The smoke produced by cooking is also a source of indoor air pollution. So, remember to turn on your kitchen ventilator when you cook food for your family.

5. Home Printers

This might be one of the most surprising additions to the list, but the ink in your (even home) printer contains glymes. These are industrial chemicals that have been linked with reproductive damage and development issues.

It’s risky if you have exposed to these over the long-term, so you may find it cheaper to print photos at home… but you might want to just spring for having them done at the store.

6. Schools Are the Worst

Schools hold a lotof students so it makes sense that they have terrible air quality. The problem is that children breathe in more air than adults do (relative to body weight) and in these closed spaces it doesn’t take long for the germs to spread.

7. Respiratory Illnesses

Asthma has been on the rise since the 80s and it affects all ages, races, and classes. It may be a silent illness, but it is an epidemic that has a disastrous impact on quality of life. Poor indoor air quality is seriously exacerbating it.

8. At-Risk

Some people are at greater risk than others and it is the elderly who are at the top of the list. It makes sense as they spend the majority of their time indoors (around 20 hours a day) so they are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality.

9. Serious Damage

There are a wide variety of pollutants to indoor air quality and the majority of them are fine particulate matter which is easy to inhale, thus quick to get into the bloodstream.

The most common symptoms include fatigue, dry eyes, nausea, nasal congestion, and headaches. However, more serious problems include asthma, stroke, depression, lung infections, neural distress, lung cancer, and immune dysfunction.

10. Wood Smoke

Everyone loves a crackling wood fire, unfortunately,there are health risks and it can slow your immune function.

Improving IAQ

Make sure you spend as much time outside as possible, but you can improve your air quality with adequate ventilation, regular air filter cleaning, and having an air purifier for home.

Quite simply, it’s all about being more aware of what you do in your home. Check out our other blogs on indoor air quality for even more great tips on how to improve the quality of air in your home!