The Importance of Air Quality in the Home

For a long time now, we’ve been aware of the dangers of air pollution, both as an immediate threat and a long-term health risk.

Back in 1952, London experienced the worst smog ever recorded when soot-laded air laced with droplets of sulphuric acid laid a 200ft-deep blanket across the city. The thick yellow smog brought the city to a standstill for 4 days and is thought to have killed 4,000 people.

As recently as 2020, Sydney, Newcastle and the Illawarra experienced many days of terrible air pollution and smog when smoke from the season’s bushfires shut down businesses, caused health problems and led to many children being kept inside for weeks.

Since COVID hit, though, we’ve become more aware than ever before of the importance of indoor air quality. Sure, some people have always had indoor air purifiers but it wasn’t really a mainstream concern. Until now.  

Over the last few months, as more evidence has emerged about how COVID is transmitted, we’ve thought more about indoor air quality. There are calls for schools and workplaces to have HEPA filters installed (though, as with most things COVID-related, there are supply issues).

What about your home though? If you’re working from home due to a local outbreak or if you’re isolating, you’ll be spending more time at home than anywhere else. Indeed, many people catch COVID-19 at home from another family member.

So what should you do about the indoor air quality at your place? And what is indoor air quality anyway?

What is indoor air quality?

Indoor air quality simply refers to the cleanliness of the air inside a building.  

Your home’s air quality is influenced by various pollutants like:

  • Dust

  • Mould spores

  • Smoke and gasses like carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide

  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in a wide range of products including paints, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, printers, glues and permanent markets to name just a few from a list that runs to thousands

  • Lead

  • Asbestos.

Why is indoor air quality important?

It’s important for your health and wellbeing that the air you breathe is clean and safe. Indoor air pollutants can cause or worsen various health problems if they reach high enough levels.

Poor indoor air quality may be responsible for mild symptoms like headaches, tiredness and lethargy. It may also trigger allergies or worsen breathing conditions like asthma.

Generally speaking, if you’re exposed to a higher level of pollutants, you have a higher health risk. However, time also matters. A low-level exposure over many years may lead to a large cumulative exposure.

Health issues associated with poor indoor air quality are estimated to cost Australia a whopping $12 bn per year.

What about COVID?

COVID-19 spreads through airborne particles and droplets which are released when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or speaks. Those fine particles spread through the air in that room, transmitting the virus to anyone else who breathes that air during the next few hours.

That’s why there’s an increasing focus on improving air quality in your home to reduce COVID-19 risk. That means ensuring good ventilation, opening windows, creating a through-flow of air, and meeting outside wherever possible.

Getting a portable air cleaner or air purifier can also help to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your home. You still need to wash your hands, maintain social distancing and wear masks if there’s a COVID case in your household.

How to improve air quality in your home

Improving air quality in your home involves reducing exposure to pollutants and improving access to fresh air. Here’s a few tips.

  1. Battle dander and dust mites by regularly dusting, vacuuming, washing bedding, curtains and other soft furnishings and replacing pillows and cushions every so often. If you’re prone to asthma, seriously consider replacing carpets with hard floors.

  2. Get rid of mould by installing correct insulation, waterproofing bathrooms and other wet areas and using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to prevent a build-up of humidity.

  3. Deal with smoke and gas by servicing your cooking appliances regularly to ensure they’re not leaking, using exhaust plans, opening doors and windows and, if you smoke, only doing so outside.

  4. Reduce your exposure to VOCs by looking for products certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia.

  5. Use indoor plants to absorb some pollutants and to beautify your space. Check out 20 of the best air purifying plants.

  6. Let the fresh air in for some part of each day. In the cool of the morning or evening, open the windows and doors and let some fresh air circulate through your home.

How can Peregian Family Medical Centre help?

As GPs, we treat many people dealing with asthma, allergies or a collection of symptoms that could trace back to environmental causes like indoor air pollutants. If you’re concerned about your health in any way, please book an appointment.

 

Disclaimer

All information is general in nature. Patients should consider their own personal circumstances and seek a second opinion.