One TV doctor has issued a number of warnings over indoor air pollution caused some of the most loved heating, cleaning and scented products used within household.
Since Covid, a lot of us have been spending more time indoors - in offices, gyms, and creative spaces. But just how clean is the air in some of these sacred rooms.
Indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, The Mirror reported.
From scented candles to cleaning products, your house could have particles that are putting you at risk of health issues, according to TV doctor Amir Khan.
Dr Khan stated: “When we normally think of air pollution, we think of outside - cars, planes, emissions - that kind of thing.
“But there are common household items that can pollute the inside of our homes. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to lung disease, heart disease and even strokes. So, let’s look at some examples.”
Wood-burning stoves and open fires
Wood-burning stoves and open fires can create 'particulate matter'.
This term means a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Dirt, soot, dust, or smoke, are big enough - or dark enough - to be seen with the naked eye.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labelled these as “dangerous” saying they can get deep into the lungs or blood.
“These tiny particles when breathed in can damage our lungs and increase our risk of lung cancer in the long term,” Dr Khan said.
The health body also linked particle pollution to eye, lung and throat irritation, trouble breathing and problems with babies at birth.
Incense and scented candles
These have been noted as they give off tiny particles of other pollutants when they burn.
Dr Khan said: “Incense sticks, in particular, give off more than 100 times more fine particles than a scented candle. So, it’s a good idea to light these in well-aired large spaces.”
Cleaning products
Cleaning products are the most likely pollutants found within households.
Dr Khan said: “Cleaning products, like furniture polish, air freshener, carpet cleaner, oven cleaner, as well as aerosols, like deodorant and hairspray, contain something called volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which when breathed in can irritate our airways, cause nausea and damage our nerves and other organs.”
The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology studies highlighted that the levels of these common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside homes than outside.
It showed that this was the same regardless of whether the homes were in a quiet or busy area.
Dr Khan added: “I know it’s impossible to avoid all of these things in our homes but by minimising their use, having lots of indoor plants, and opening windows, allowing for good ventilation, you can improve your indoor air quality.”
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