These 6 Household Staples Could Be Polluting Your Indoor Air, Experts Warn
Winter presents a higher risk of indoor air pollution. The most important factor is the increased difficulty in ventilating rooms, including the kitchen, because windows cannot be opened as in the warmer months. Heating systems also emit pollutants, especially when they are old or defective.
“Indoor air is not as healthy as you might think,” says Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and president of the Change the Air Foundation. The podcast host denounces several neglected contaminants that pollute the air in our homes.
According to James Langer, materials science engineer and CEO of Colorfil, “Indoor air can be five times or more polluted than outdoor air, which can have health consequences ranging from harmful headache to more serious problems like chronic allergies, asthma and even cancer.
Air purifiers And dehumidifiers make a difference, but knowing where pollutants come from and minimizing them is your best protection against air quality problems. I spoke with experts about the surprising things in your home that can contribute to poor air quality and what changes you can make to control them.
1. Gas cookers
Numerous studies show that gas stoves pose a real risk to air quality and respiratory health.
It doesn’t matter if you have a gas or electric stove, or if you do the majority of your cooking in a confined space, like the oven or microwave. “The biggest contributor to indoor air pollution is undoubtedly cooking,” says Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of IQAir North America, certified indoor environmentalist and licensed HVAC contractor. “We tend to worry about odors, but cooking at high temperatures, especially over an open flame, is a significant source of PM 2.5, a type of particle that can easily enter our lungs.”
However, this isn’t necessarily an excuse to order more takeout or a directive to invest in vacuum equipment. “Induction cooking makes a huge difference to improving air quality,” says Dolphin Hammes, as does installing a real extractor fan. “I emphasize that word ‘real’ because we don’t realize that 99 percent of all exhaust fans actually recirculate the air inside,” she says. Simply opening a window can also help reduce cooking-related pollution.
Learn more: Gas stoves are here to stay, but are they safe? Here’s what you need to know
2. HVAC Systems
HVAC systems, especially when not maintained properly, can be a source of unseen mold and dust.
Along the same lines, the very system in your home that circulates air, known as the HVAC system – heating, ventilation and air conditioning – can also be an invisible source of mold and dust, recirculating polluted air inside your home rather than moving it outside. “Efforts toward net-zero energy efficiency have led to more tightly constructed buildings with minimal airflow between indoor and outdoor environments,” says Rubino. “The result is that most contaminants that enter the interior of the building will remain until they are actively removed.”
“Have the system serviced twice a year,” suggests Rubino. “Change air filters on time and upgrade to the highest-rated MERV filters that your particular unit can handle.” The higher the MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, the smaller the particles it can extract from the air.
Learn more: How to properly clean your air conditioner
3. Cleaning products
A homemade cleaning solution can prevent harmful pollutants from entering your air.
Surely keeping a clean house is the key to purifying the air, right? Well… “Usually, the cleaning products that make the biggest claims to kill germs or eliminate odors contain a high amount of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs,” says Dolphin Hammes, which are other harmful particles found in the air we breathe indoors.
“VOCs are known to cause nausea and can also have deleterious health effects when exposed to higher levels or for prolonged periods,” says Langer. Instead, “look for low- or no-scent cleaning products that do their job without masking odors,” he says, and use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away dust wherever it accumulates on surfaces in your home.
To combat unnecessary VOCs, try making this all-natural cleaning solution with three ingredients you may already have.
4. Wet devices
All fixtures that retain water, especially those located in high-traffic areas, should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth.
Most people understand that damp rooms, like bathrooms and laundry rooms, can harbor mold, but your kitchen is also a significant source of water and spores can come from things other than spoiled food. “Appliances like ice makers and refrigerator water spouts can also hide mold,” says Rubino, in addition to your shower and washing machine. Mold spores can trigger respiratory problems, whether you have allergies or not, and contribute to odors that leave us trying to cover them up.
Instead, cut them at the sources. “These need to be cleaned regularly,” says Rubino. “Let them dry between uses and follow normal maintenance.”
Learn more: Is mold growing inside your washing machine? Use This Secret Trick to Get Rid of It
5. Candles and incense
Anything that emits smoke will cause at least some decrease in air quality.
The very things you use to make your home smell fresher are actually much more than just masking other pollutants; they also contribute to poorer overall air quality. This is especially true if these objects also emit smoke, such as candles and incense, even in seemingly small amounts.
“More often than not, candles and incense are actually a source of pollution within your home,” says Dolphin Hammes. “People want to make their homes smell fresh, but they are most likely introducing large amounts of PM 2.5 with these products.”
6. Air fresheners
Air fresheners
The same goes for other products where scent is the focus. “Air fresheners, essential oils, and other highly scented products are frequently used to mask bad odors, but this may just make indoor air pollution worse,” says Langer.
Indoor air quality can be affected by more than just a leaking stove or crumbling chimney liner.
These products are also bad news for the non-human residents of your home. According to Langer, “There is a minimal amount of data regarding the safety of using these products in pets. Given their unique biology, dogs, cats, birds and other small animals may be much more susceptible to the negative side effects of these products.”
Instead of scented options, consider an air purifier or look for air fresheners made with baking soda or activated charcoal.
An air quality monitor can help find the culprit
Airthings View Plus will constantly monitor your air quality and alert you in real time if conditions become dangerous.
If you’re concerned about air quality, a monitor provides real-time data so you can determine the causes and remedy them. We tested several, including the $60 SwitchBot’s Meter Pro, which tracks carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity, and the $300 Airthings View Plus, which monitors VOCs, radon, particulate matter and fine particles, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity. Both send alerts when dangerous levels are reached.
