Why indoor air pollutants can be as dangerous as outdoor air pollutants – Times of India

With most of us having spent months within the confines of our homes during the pandemic, we havent felt safer than before. What could possibly affect our health while we are indoors? Well, little do we know that while we may be safe from outdoor pollutants, there are certain indoor allergens that can make us prone to serious allergies. We all believe that sweeping, mopping, dusting are enough to make your homes clean and allergy proof. There are traces of hidden dust consisting of cockroach allergens, dust mites allergens, dog allergens, mould, bacteria and fungi commonly present in surfaces where we eat, sit, play and sleep. And traditional methods of cleaning may not really help in fully eliminating them.Dr. Lancelot Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist, P.D Hinduja Hospital & MRC, A common symptom reported by a majority of patients with asthma is the triggering of symptoms when they clean the house, remove clothes from closets, or when they notice mold in the monsoons. House dust mites, pet dander, smokes and fumes from poorly ventilated kitchens are all common triggers for worsening of symptoms and triggering of attacks, and these are all related to the indoor environment. At the workplace, poor air conditioning, dust from carpets and enclosed spaces all contribute to worsening of symptoms. We focus a lot on outdoor air pollution, but forget that it is not the only contributor to indoor air quality, and given that most of us spend a majority of our day indoors, we definitely need to focus more on improving the indoor air quality. In a recent study conducted by FRAC and Dyson titled Indian Households Hidden Dust, there were some shocking findings. Most houses showed the presence of dog and dust mite allergens. Dust mite and cockroach allergens are common triggers of all-year round allergy and asthma symptoms. Moulds type of fungus that typically grows in damp areas within homes and cars in warm conditions trigger allergies. The study showed that fungi were commonly present in dust collected from car interiors. Moreover, the health risks to babies from pollutants in household dust may be 100 times greater than for adults.Not only this, the air in your home can contain myriad substances, from particles like dust, allergens, gases, VOCs, NO2 and benzene. These substances are known for their potential to cause respiratory and cardiovascular health problems. They can also irritate eyes, throat and skin leading to various allergic reactions. Long term exposure to high levels of dust can cause health problems especially amongst young children, elderlies, and ones with pre-existing respiratory and heart conditions. This creates a huge need to adopt more effective methods of cleaning and follow a routine clean-up to eliminate every ounce of those hidden dust, making our home not just germ free but also the safest place to be. Some of the techniques to use are Using natural cleaning productsVacuuming regularlyVentilating and cleaning frequently to get rid of dust and pollen allergensMonitoring indoor air quality

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Why indoor air pollutants can be as dangerous as outdoor air pollutants - Times of India