Breathing clean air is a fundamental human right. Most people are deprived of this right due to air pollution – a major environmental threat. Poor air quality can endanger human life as much as other factors.
Various programmes have been launched across the globe to improve air quality. Similarly, the UAE government has set an agenda, named ‘The National Air Quality Agenda 2031’, to monitor and manage air quality and mitigate air pollution.
These are the initiatives carried out on a larger scale. But as we know that charity begins at home, let’s see what we can do to improve indoor air quality.
Most time of the day we spend indoors, so it is crucial to monitor the air quality. Indoor air quality is an indicator of airborne pollutants that include gases, bacteria, particulates, and chemicals. Here are some tips that can help you to improve indoor air quality.
Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Let’s find out the many tips you can use to improve indoor air quality.
1. Remove Pollutants
The foremost step to improving indoor air quality is to remove all types of pollutants from your place. First, you need to learn about the common sources of pollutants and avoid adding them later. Following are some common pollutants.
Radon
Radon can seep through cracks in the floor and build up in your home. Being a natural radioactive gas, it can lead to major health issues such as lung cancer. If a home test kit reveals radon traces, it can be reduced by sealing the house foundation.
Passive Smoke
Passive smoke refers to exhaled cigarette smoke. Individuals exposed to passive smoke have a higher chance of developing health concerns. The best way to avoid passive smoke is to dedicate a smoking area outside the house premises. You can follow these steps to clean a smoker’s room.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde, a VOC – volatile organic compound, is a harmful gas emitted by certain household items. It is commonly found in glues used in furniture or composite wood. Long exposure to formaldehyde can cause respiratory issues.
Opting for used furniture in Dubai over new and choosing solid wood furniture over a composite can reduce the formaldehyde effect on air quality.
Cleaning Products
Some cleaning products such as air fresheners, disinfectants, bleaching agents, and cleaning sprays contain harmful chemicals. Such chemicals can linger in the air leading to respiratory problems. You can improve indoor air quality by choosing safer, non-toxic cleaning agents.
You can also use some natural cleaning agents which do not emit harmful chemicals. Such agents are hot water, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, etc.
2. Bring in Fresh Air
The best tip to improve indoor air quality is to bring in fresh air for ventilation. It can be simply done by opening windows.
However, bringing in fresh air from the outside is not always practical. It depends on the weather conditions, air pollution, and timing of the day. Whenever the temperature and humidity levels permit, make sure you let the fresh air inside.
3. Update Your Thermostat
Mostly thermostats are set to allow air circulation only when the air conditioning system or furnace is cooling or heating. However, to freshen the indoor air regularly by passing it through the air filtration system of the thermostat, you need to adjust your thermostat settings to run the fan at all times.
4. Switch on Exhaust Fans
A running exhaust fan can constantly draw out indoor air and replace it with fresh air. Make sure to keep the exhaust fans in the bathroom switched on all the time. It is one of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality.
5. Maintain Humidity
Coastal regions of the UAE, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, face high humidity. High humidity can offer the perfect breeding ground for moulds and pests to grow. Not only that, but it can also be harmful to your health and skin.
To improve indoor air quality, make sure you keep getting your dehumidifier maintained timely. High humidity impacted areas in your home, like the kitchen and bathrooms, require effective ventilation by using exhaust fans. Indoor humidity can also be reduced by using air conditioners as they reduce air moisture levels.
6. Invest in a Quality Air Purifier and Air Filter
Using an air purifier is an effective way to improve indoor air quality. Make sure you invest in an air purifier equipped with a high-efficiency particulate absorbing filter (HEPA filter) as this filter is the best in the game in straining air particulates.
While an air purifier cannot remove all types of pollutants, you may consider using an air filter. An air filter works best to reduce VOCs, allergens such as pet dander, mould spores, smoke, and excess carbon dioxide.
7. Get Indoor Plants
Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetics of your home, but they also improve the air quality and purify the air. They can filter out the pollutants that are generated in your home from cleaning products, furniture, carpets, trash, wood, etc.
However, not all plants can do the desirable job; some can even become a source of releasing allergens or breeding mould. Following are the plants that improve indoor air quality.
- Common ivy
- Peace lily
- Dracaena
- Rubber plant
- Philodendron
- Areca Palm
- Snake plant
- Aloe Vera
- Boston Fern
8. Check Your Vents and Ducts
Visible dust build-up in the ducts or furniture, or frequent allergy flare-ups indicate an ineffective air duct. One of the important steps in the house maintenance checklist is to check and clean your vents and ducts.
Make sure that the cooking vents are timely maintained. Whether there is a microwave or a hood in your kitchen, the carbon filter installed in it must be regularly cleaned. Moreover, if you have a gas range, it can emit carbon monoxide when burners are on.
9. Clean the Floor
Rugs and carpets around the house can improve the aesthetics and add warmth to your place. But they are a source of trapping dirt, pollen, pet dander, and particulate matter. Make sure that your house floor is cleaned regularly using an effective vacuum cleaner to minimise build-up. It is also one of the tips to keep the house clean.
Here we conclude our tips to improve indoor air quality. Experts often say, “Let the clean air blow the cobwebs from your body”. Make sure the air you breathe in your home is clean to reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
Besides, if you are property hunting but had no luck so far, try exploring this plethora of properties for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s leading property blog for tips on building a sustainable home.
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