Outdoor air pollution has been a concern for a long time now, but people often neglect the harmful effects of indoor air pollution. With more and more people trying to achieve a healthy, balanced lifestyle now, poor indoor air quality is causing harm to their health in various ways. Toxic products, inadequate ventilation, high temperature, and humidity are a few of the primary causes of indoor air pollution in buildings.
Impact of indoor air pollution
Sensitive subjects (children, elderly, and individuals with pre-existing diseases) are more at risk of the harmful effects of air pollution. Even individuals who exercise indoors or in the gym are at a greater risk to the ill effects of poor indoor air quality. When you exercise, you inhale a greater quantity of air and along with it, a greater quantity of air pollutants.
These air pollutants enter the lungs through the nose and the mouth and cause inflammation in the airways. They can cause coughing or wheeze in the short time but prolonged exposure to these pollutants can trigger asthma, lung cancer, and even heart attacks. These pollutants cause damage to the lung function and also cause neurological disorders and heart problems.
4 ways to stay healthy
You’d often read about eating right and including some exercise in your daily routine in order to stay healthy. But is that all there is to it? You are surrounded by countless air pollutants that are harming your body with every breath you take. They reduce the indoor air quality in your homes, gyms, offices, and make these places unfavorable to human health.
But the solution to poor indoor air quality isn’t reduced exercise or limiting your time indoors. You can stay healthy by reducing the level of pollution in the air and improving the indoor air quality and here is how you can do it.
- Install smart air monitors- Air monitors are a great way of understanding your air and measuring the level of pollution in the air. Smart air quality monitors from brands like Kaiterra or uHoo can assist you in identifying the type of pollutants present in your air that is reducing the indoor air quality.
- Natural air purifiers- Some products pollute the air while others act as natural air purifiers. Adding houseplants in your home or gym will improve the indoor air quality as houseplants produce fresh air.
Other products like beeswax candles and salt lamp also act as natural air purifiers and help in improving the indoor air quality. When lit, these products produce negative ions that attract the positive ions of the air pollutants present in your indoor air and thus help in improving the indoor air quality.
- Reduce the emission of VOCs- Certain products pollute the air when used. Products like air fresheners, perfumes, scented paints, etc, emit a large amount of VOCs (volatile organic compound) that are harmful to the human health and reduce the indoor air quality. Limiting the use of these products improves the indoor air quality and reduce the level of indoor pollution.
- Monitoring humidity- Humidity leads to the formation of molds. Molds are fungal air pollutants that grow in wet and humid areas. High level of humidity due to pipe leaks or loose taps, lead to an increase in the level of molds.
Molds live and rest in the fibers of carpets, walls, and furniture, therefore proper maintenance and regular cleaning of the entire indoor space is necessary. Monitoring humidity and maintaining the ideal level of humidity (between 30-50%) improves the indoor air quality and reduces the health risk associated with it. s
Air monitoring is essential in your home and especially in gyms. Monitoring the air not only improves the air quality but also improves your health that leads to a healthy lifestyle.