You can experience air pollution indoors and outdoors. Indoor air pollution is caused by cookstoves and fireplaces using biomass fuels, coal, and gas. Outdoor air pollution consists of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) and wildfires. These produce soot (fine particles), smog, and toxic gases that make breathing difficult. But, you can wear an air pollution mask for protection, especially when you’re outdoors.

Health Dangers Caused by Air Pollution

Long-term and short-term exposure to air pollutants leads to numerous health problems. In people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, air pollution makes breathing harder, causes coughing and wheezing, and triggers asthma attacks.

Polluted air also increases the risks of lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, respiratory infections. People who are already sick are most affected by air pollution. Due to this, people living with chronic health conditions should always wear a pollution mask to reduce the effects of air pollution. The elderly, children and those living in low-income areas have disparate health issues from air pollution.

Natural pollutants, such as cockroaches, mites, dust, animal dander, pollen, and mould, can trigger asthma attacks, allergic symptoms, or breathing problems. Tobacco smoke is also dangerous to human health as it contains about 200 harmful substances, such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

How to Avoid Air Pollution

You can avoid the dangers of air pollution by implementing the measures below:

• Use an N95 Pollution Mask: A cloth mask will not protect you from smoke. An N95 mask keeps fine particles away, which cannot happen with a cloth mask as they pass through it.
• Close your Doors and Windows: Preventing polluted outdoor air from accessing your home is essential. Close your windows and doors but ensure sufficient air circulation and filtration indoors. Circulate air using fans and air filters to remove harmful air particles. If you live in rural areas with fewer air pollutants, opening your doors and windows would be better to bring in the fresh air.
• Use Air Purifiers: An air purifier can effectively remove air particles. You can buy air purifiers to suit the type of air pollution in your home. Air purifiers are available in different specifications to fit specific sizes of air particles. They usually contain information on the amount of air they can clean in an hour and the size range they can filter.
• Change your Air Filters Regularly: Air filters trap dust, smoke, and dirt particles to keep the air in your home clean. However, the air filters eventually fill up after a long accumulation of these particles. Ensure that you change your air filters at the manufacturer’s recommended time. Updating your air filters will ensure that only clean air circulates indoors.
• Control Humidity: Your indoor humidity level should be between 30% and 50%. Ensure that damp areas such as bathrooms have sufficient ventilation to prevent mold growth. Mold is associated with upper respiratory tract problems.
• Choose Hard-Surface Floors: These floor types are easy to clean. Avoid having carpets in your especially if you have young children and pets. Carpets harbor pet hair and dirt, which later escapes into the air.