Indoor air quality and your general health

Better air, better living

Breathing indoors

Breathing is an essential form of living that is continuous and takes place everywhere, even indoors. This means that air quality should be observed not only outside but also in enclosed spaces like offices, homes, classrooms, and social venues like churches. Good air should be free from pollutants, have the right humidity, be odorless, be rich in oxygen, and be clear and transparent with low levels of germs and allergens.

image of an asthmatic person as an example of illness triggered by chronic exposure to bad air

Bad air quality can lead to:

• Respiratory problems in the short term like coughing, persistent flu, lung irritations, and breathing problems and serious conditions like asthma and lung disease in the long run.

• Direct irritation of eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

• Frequent headaches

• Damage and accelerate the deterioration of building

• Damage plants

• Reduces concentrations and productivity

• Interferes with mood (feeling irritable due to the nuisance it causes)

Image of a simple ventilation system that promotes air circulation

Achieving indoor air quality

Proper ventilation

This is ensuring that there is enough air circulation in the room or building and can be achieved by:

• Rooms should have the appropriate number of windows and should be open.

• Use of mechanical ventilation systems (HVAC) and tools (fans) in shared formal spaces.

• Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers appropriately.

• Avoid introducing indoor smoke unnecessarily (incense, vaping or smoking cigarettes)

• At home, you can have an exhaust pipe in the kitchen that controls fumes and particulate matter.

Image of a well lit room both with natural and artificial lights

Proper lighting

A good room should have proper light to enable good visual acuity and efficient operations to take place without straining. It also allows for seeing if there is anything wrong with the air quality (seeing dust particulates). Ensure to:

• Ensure windows that have access to sunlight and are open for the most of the day.

• Good electrical wiring to ensure proper lighting of all the rooms. It also ensures proper working of any mechanical gadgets like fans and filters that control air humidity and circulation.

Image of a person vacuuming as a way of maintaining sanitation

Proper sanitation

General and personal cleanliness, like washing spaces, cleaning equipment, and regular maintenance of gadgets and textiles, discourages the accumulation and settling of dust. Practice both in personal and formal spaces:

• Regular washing/cleaning of textiles in use.

• Proper waste management and disposal

• Cleaning of equipment and tools (wiping computers, furniture surfaces, chandeliers, etc.)

• House/office/space daily cleaning.

Image of an air conditioner used to dehumidify rooms

Proper drainage and moisture control

This ensures that water movement is organized and does not cause humidity, dampness, and related problems like mold, which contaminates the air with spores.

• Maintain and repair any drainage/piping system

• Properly dry floors, windows, and equipment after use or cleaning.

• Use dehumidifiers in cold conditions and humidifiers in extremely dry conditions.

An image of a personal protective attires suitable for people who work in contaminated air environments

Control emissions

In work environments, people are exposed to irradiations of all sorts, ranging from mild to major, depending on the nature of work or lifestyle. Things like microwaves, infrared heaters, induction cooktops, imaging machines (both medical and industrial, like x-rays), and nuclear reactor fuels.

Ensure to;

Separate machines in well-secured rooms accessed under proper personal protection.
For low to moderate emission, simply limit the frequency of usage.
Wear protective equipment while operating gadgets.

Remember! Air is all around us, so taking care should be continuous. Use of personal protectives like masks can also come in handy to filter out particulate matter and some pathogens when exposed.

FAQS (Frequently asked questions on indoor air quality)

Why does indoor pollution have stronger effects than outdoor?

People spend a lot of time indoors, prolonging exposure time. Concentration of pollutant is also increased due to limited free-flowing air found outside that can diffuse some air elements.

Does poor air quality affect healthy people with no underlying conditions like allergies?

Yes. Poor air can also carry pathogens and other materials like mold and dust that can still transmit diseases to healthy individuals and cause problems like headaches and irritation of the airways.

Are children more sensitive to indoor air pollutants than adults?

Yes. Children not only breathe bigger volumes of air, but they also still have vulnerable immune systems and body organs compared to adults.

Can building and painting materials affect air quality long after completion?

Yes, but they gradually decline over time depending on the type of material, ingredients, and formulation used.

Can improving air quality provide noticeable health benefits with unnoticeable signs?

Yes, quality air is linked to better sleep, breathing, and improved feelings of well-being.

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