A recent survey conducted by Artemis Hospital under the Clean Air India Movement says that due to unhealthy indoor air quality, about 31 per cent of the survey respondents had some kind of airway disease and 46 per cent people were found to have symptoms suggesting a respiratory disease.
A senior executive of Philips India says, Indoor air is 3-5 times more polluted than the outdoor air because it is a mix of outdoor pollution that comes in through windows and doors as well as indoor pollutants like dust, cooking fumes, allergens, incense, cigarette smoke and pet dander.
Leading pulmonologists say, Indoor air pollution is wreaking havoc on the sleeping patterns of people, thus leading to multiple ailments. The right home air purifier can help us sleep better and prevent sinus and breathing problems as it will remove dust and allergens from the air and leave us breathing easier and even reduce snoring.
One way to keep indoor pollution in check is to keep monitoring it. You can download a pollution mapping mobile application to monitor air inside your house. Also, keep your windows and doors closed in the wee hours and early morning, as that is the time when pollution is at its worst. While cooking, always keep the exhaust fan on, and use chimney. Also, it is important to clean grease traps on regular intervals.
Do not smoke indoors. Smoking is a big health hazard and it can permeate into your environment. So it`s best to avoid smoking indoors and you are also advised to wash your hands and face after smoking.
Houseplants purify the air indoors. They absorb particulates in the air and then process it into oxygen via photosynthesis. Plants like chrysanthemum, spider plant, weeping fig and peace lily are some of the indoor plants you can consider keeping at your home.
To prevent dust collection, change your bed sheet and pillow covers at least twice a week and always use clean blankets. Regularly washing curtains is also a healthy practice to prevent indoor air pollution.