Indoor Air Pollution

     Air polllution is often asscotiated with smog, acid rain and other forms of outdoor air pollutants,but did you know that the air in your house could also be polluted? We spend a lot of time in enclosed environments, for example at home, in classrooms and in hostels, yet we spend so little time thinking about the quality of air indoors.

     There are many sources of indoor air pollution. One of the most common sources is insect repellents. When we use insects repellents, we are actually releasing toxic substances into the air. Once these toxic substances are released, they circulate in the air within our house for a long time. The substances in these products can be very harmful to us, and may even cause cancer.

     Besides that, another source of indoor pollution is wood products such as plywood, hardwood wall panelling and fibreboard, which are used in buildings and furniture. These products emit a harmful gas, especially when they are new and the humidity level is high. This gas can cause headaches, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, nosebleeds and memory loss.

     Apart from the two sources mentioned above, gas stoves, furnaces and smoke from wood stoves also affect the quality of air in our house. Carbon monoxide is released into the air when petroleum products and wood are burned. It can cause headaches and throat irritation when the level is low. However, when the level is high, carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness, and even death.

     Therefore, it is very important to ensure that indoor air pollution stays at a relatively low level as it can be very detrimental to our health. We can improve the level of air quality by making sure that our house is properly ventilated. We can also place some common house plants such as the spider plant and Golden Pothos indoors. These plants can remove contaminats from indoor air.