Toxic Home Syndrome, also known as sick building syndrome is a term that many of us are unaware of. We have all been dealing with the increase in poor air quality. But how many of us have wondered that the indoor air quality could be the real issue behind the frequent visits to the local physician or if matters become worse, then the hospital emergency room! We often don’t consider that the quality of our indoor environment could be much worse than that of the outdoors. Most of us don’t even know the difference between a good and poor air quality when indoors are brought into consideration.

Monitoring home air quality is as crucial as breathing fresh air. Even in our comfortable homes, air quality can still be a significant cause for concern. Installing a smart app such as indoor pollution monitoring device helps in tracking the sources of the air pollutants such as particulate matter 2.5, level of carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature. With a comprehensive air quality plan, these monitors collect information of pollutants and suggest health recommendations which may include the need for an indoor air purifier.

However, one can also opt for easy ways to reduce indoor toxicity, keeping the house clean and safe for the family. Mr Rohit Bansal, Founder-AQI India & Purelogic Labs India lays down a few tips to lower the toxicity of air at home. 

  1. Clean the house regularly — not just surface cleaning but also deep cleaning of the sofas and bed, and furniture and the corners of the room which are often ignored due to lack of time. Proper ventilation is essential inside the room as it ensures the free flow of fresh air. It also helps in good chi and harmony within occupants in the house along with a sense of being productive throughout the day.

  2. Open the windows and let fresh air come in- and recycle the existing air inside. It is one of the easiest ways to dilute the contaminated air in the home. People often think keeping the windows closed keeps the dust from coming in, but little do they know that lack of fresh air helps in mould growth. It is also highly advised to ventilate the kitchen and the bathroom with an exhaust fan or an open window during or after use.

  3. Carpets and Door Mats-Dust and dirt easily settle onto the rugs and doormats which require regular vacuuming. Deep-cleaning the carpets and mats every three months will not only make them cleaner but will also make them look shinier. One can also opt for wooden flooring over carpets and mats as they are easy to clean.

  4. Use DIY Household Cleaners- With an array of household cleaning products available in the market, it has become easy for people just to pick one of those cleaning products. However, these products are hazardous as they contain high quantity of VOCs and phthalates along with artificial fragrances that can harm the health even more. One can choose baking soda as an alternate cleaning product. It is the best DIY household cleaner.

  5. Look out for Moisture- Moisture and humid air can be caused in our indoor environment when there's a water leakage. It increases the growth of mould and mildew which can have direct exposure to the occupants, risking them with severe health issues. A persistent cough and cold or fungal infection are a few common health risks that can be caused due to mould growth in the house. If there is any water leakage in the house, it is best to fix it before it gets worse.

  6. Indoor Houseplants- Plants are a great way to clean the air inside the house. Not only do they procure the sanctity but also work as great natural purifiers. To improve indoor air quality bringing in houseplants is a definite step towards sanity. Not only are they great for home décor but are also quite instrumental in removing toxins such as carbon monoxide. Indoor power plants like English Ivy, Spider Plant, Bamboo Palm, Snake Plant, and Weeping Fig are best known for their air cleaning capabilities.

Once you know the sources of indoor air pollutants, it becomes easier to combat them. These easy ways will not only help in reducing the toxins inside your home but your office space too. Imbibing these ways is essential for healthier and cleaner air. Since they don’t cost anything, it can be a sincere approach to the safety of your loved ones.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 15, 2018 05:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).