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Did you know that these are the main culprits of indoor air pollution?
In modern society, people's lives are increasingly dependent on the indoor environment. However, many people may not know that indoor air pollution has become one of the main factors affecting physical and mental health. Poor indoor air quality can affect the health, comfort and overall well-being of occupants. In addition, according to relevant research, indoor air pollution may also cause "sick building syndrome", respiratory problems, and impaired learning ability. Therefore, understanding common indoor air pollutants will help improve our quality of life.
"Humans spend about 90% of their time indoors, and in some places indoor air pollution can be even worse than outdoor air pollution."
Common sources of indoor air pollution
There are many sources of indoor air pollution, mainly including the following categories:
1. Pollutants from indoor combustion
Many homes generate air pollution by using fuel for cooking and heating. For example, the combustion of hydrocarbons produces dense emissions of harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Furthermore, open stoves that use wood or coal, which are common in developing countries, have an even more significant impact on air quality.
2. Secondhand smokeThe impact of secondhand smoke cannot be ignored. It contains more than 7,000 chemicals, hundreds of which are considered harmful to health. Long-term inhalation of secondhand smoke may aggravate diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and even cause lung cancer.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)VOCs come from a variety of sources, such as paints, cleaning chemicals and furniture. Concentrations of these compounds are often much higher indoors than outdoors. Certain VOCs are thought to cause health problems such as headaches and eye irritation.
4. Mold and other allergens
Mold often grows because of high indoor humidity. Once it has reproduced, it will release a large number of spores into the air. This can cause serious health problems for people with allergies, especially children and the elderly.
How to improve indoor air quality
There are many measures to improve indoor air quality. Here are some effective methods:
1. Improve ventilationOpen windows regularly to allow fresh air into the room and expel dirty air, which can effectively reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants.
2. Use high-efficiency filtration devices
An air conditioning system equipped with a high-efficiency filter can effectively filter out a variety of harmful substances and improve indoor air quality.
3. Control humidityMaintaining relative humidity between 40%-60% can reduce the risk of mold growth.
4. Reduce indoor pollution sources
Try to choose low-VOC building materials and furniture, and avoid smoking and using harmful chemicals indoors.
Health Effects
According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution causes more than 3.2 million deaths each year. Children, in particular, are at greater risk of indoor air pollution due to their weaker resistance, which may lead to respiratory diseases and developmental problems.
“Studies have shown that approximately 30% to 60% of indoor air pollution can be attributed to different activities in the home.”
Common Health Problems
Health problems caused by indoor air pollution include but are not limited to:
- Respiratory diseases
- Allergic reaction
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nervous system damage
Overall, indoor air pollution is a common and serious problem that can affect everyone. As people's understanding of indoor environment deepens, measures to improve air quality are increasingly valued. Against this backdrop, can we gradually improve our living environment and make future living spaces healthier and safer?
