Breathing clean air shouldn’t be a luxury but a basic human right. It reflects a fundamental concept in discussions on human rights and environmental protection. Based on this idea, dozens if not hundreds of laws and regulations have been enacted to preserve our shared air quality. But who is responsible for the air quality inside our homes?
The indoor air quality index is a significant factor in our health and quality of life. Polluted air can adversely affect our health and that of our children, potentially leading to respiratory diseases, infections, and other health issues. Therefore, taking steps to improve the air we breathe is crucial. This is especially true for children's rooms where they spend extended periods in front of computers, gaming consoles, or hosting friends, sometimes neglecting to ventilate the room. Improving the air quality in their bedrooms can also enhance the quality of their sleep.
A comprehensive global study conducted recently by Dyson, examining indoor air quality data from over 2.5 million of their air purifier filters worldwide, reveals that the indoor environments of most homes are more polluted than the outside air. This finding may surprise you, but according to the research, all the countries surveyed exceeded the annual guidelines of the World Health Organization for PM2.5 (5 micrograms per cubic meter).
According to data collected in Israel, it is positioned below the global average. The most polluted month measured among the devices in Israel is December. For most months, Israel is below or near the global average. The highest pollution during the day is measured in the early morning and evening hours, and the lowest in the afternoon.
How can we improve indoor air quality?
Engineers at Dyson, developers of the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Formaldehyde™ air purifier, provide several useful tips:
Regular maintenance of air conditioning systems: Regular maintenance of air conditioning systems is crucial to maintaining indoor air quality. During use, air conditioner filters accumulate dust and other pollutants. Without frequent cleaning, these filters can become a source of pollution themselves, releasing particles into the air we breathe. It is also recommended to perform periodic checks of the air conditioning system by a professional.
Use of air purifiers: Using an air purifier can be an excellent option to improve indoor air quality. It is recommended to use air purifiers with new formaldehyde technology, designed to capture ultrafine dust, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde. Place the filter in a central location in the room for optimal coverage.
Mold and moisture control: Mold generates small allergen-carrying particles called spores. These spores are common in the air and can cause allergic reactions such as itching, watery eyes, runny nose, breathing difficulties, and even asthma in sensitive individuals. These particles in the air can reduce indoor air quality and lead to health problems such as headaches, fatigue, respiratory system problems, and weakness. Therefore, it is very important to identify and treat mold problems quickly to maintain air quality and the health of the occupants at home.
Humidity control: The optimal humidity range in every home is between 30-50%. This reduces the likelihood of mold development. A humidity meter can be purchased at any building supply store. This is a good option for measuring humidity levels in the home regularly to monitor humidity levels throughout the year.
Maintaining cleanliness: Regularly maintaining cleanliness of indoor spaces, including frequent vacuuming and floor cleaning, significantly reduces dust levels in the home and thereby improves air quality. Strive to prefer natural, non-industrial cleaning products that can add pollutants to the air.
Improving airflow: The easiest way to ensure ventilation of the home is to ventilate the rooms. Ensure good airflow in rooms, including the use of fans or opening windows.
Houseplants: It is known that plants have the ability to purify the air inside our homes from carbon dioxide, one of the most dangerous and common air pollutants. Dispersing plants in indoor spaces can affect indoor air quality. Although a large amount of plants is required for effective results, it can indeed contribute.
Children's room - the most polluted space in the home?
Children's rooms may be more polluted than other areas of the home, and there are several reasons for this.
Children often do not maintain cleanliness to the same extent as adults, so their rooms are often the most polluted. Children are also known to generally be more active, whether playing, running, and jumping in their rooms. This activity stirs up small dust and pollutes indoor air quality. In addition, children's rooms tend to be filled with toys, books, and other items that can collect dust and trap pollutants. As known, children's rooms are not properly ventilated, which can lead to higher concentrations of pollutants in the air.
It is important to know that sometimes toys and sleep equipment such as mattresses and pillows may contain chemical substances that release gases that can pollute indoor air quality. In addition to the fact that children may bring allergenic substances into their rooms from outside the home, such as flowers, sand, and more.
So what can be done?
Encouraging children's involvement in cleaning tasks and home organization: This is not only a great way to ease the burden on parents but also an important means of educating responsibility and independence.
Promote dialogue: A good start is to develop a shared understanding with children about the importance of maintaining cleanliness and order as well as indoor air quality. This can include an open discussion about how each family member contributes to the home and emphasizes the value of teamwork and personal responsibility. Children learn a lot from their parents' behavior, so presenting a personal example of work and dedication in household tasks can influence children to emulate.
Reward for cleaning and room ventilation: Establishing a rewards system can be effective as part of education for cleanliness. It can include rewards such as playtime, gifts, or other special activities. It is important to maintain consistency and not compromise on reward issues.
Creating cross-ventilation: If there are two windows in a room or home, open them both to create cross-ventilation. This will increase ventilation and help expel polluted air.
Use of fans: Children love fans, ceiling or floor fans can help ventilate the room. When opening a window, a fan can help remove polluted air and draw fresh air into the room.