We never dwell enough on this topic, that is, the quality of the air we breathe. Are we sure it is “clean”? To make our environments much healthier, we can follow the advice of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which has offered a real “decalogue” on the subject.
There are many things we can do to improve air quality of our interiors: to lean towards a room humidifier, open the windows often, not to smoke.
What determines indoor air quality?
We spend most of our lives in a closed environment: at least 90%. This is why we should consider evaluate air quality at home, which must be free from harmful substances and pollutants.
Obviously, it is crucial to protect the respiratory tract and – more generally – well-being and health. Ours, as well as that of our family members.
First of all, there are some very specific parameters that allow us to make a correct evaluation: ventilation, humidity, carbon dioxide e pollutants.
A healthy environment, in fact, requires a small but important precaution: open the windows often, to promote air circulation at very regular intervals. Frequent opening of windows also depends on one aspect: the size of the room itself.
According to the Ministry of Health, parameters such as humidity and temperature cannot and should not be underestimated. Excessive presence (or lack) of humidity are bad indicators, as they represent a potential problem for health in the long term.
As regards, however, the indoor pollutants, we find VOCs, or volatile organic compounds: one of the most widespread is certainly formaldehyde. But they contribute to a bad air quality even smog, pollen and fine dust.
Rules to improve air quality
How does the Istituto Superiore di Sanità suggest we behave? What are the recommendations to implement to live in a healthy environment?
Since it is precisely indoors that we are most exposed to air pollution, let's try to understand the general guidelines:
- Open windows often;
- Clean doesn’t have a “smell”, so you don’t have to overdo it with cleaning products;
- Avoid mixing cleaning products and use each as directed by the manufacturer;
- Avoid smoking indoors (traditional products and e-cigs);
- Don't put your clothes back in the closet right after you get them from the dry cleaners;
- If we have purchased new furniture, let the house air out often;
- Opt for houseplants;
- Don't overdo it with insecticides;
- If you have pets, increase regular cleaning to remove dust and hair;
- After renovating your home, air it out more often than usual.
Help from air purifiers
I purifiers They certainly represent an aid that should not be underestimated, since they contribute to reducing the presence of pollutants, including dust and bacteria that we mentioned before.
According to the study published in theEnvironmental Research, we know that air quality is among the main causes of some respiratory diseases. Women and children are most at risk, as well as the elderly and allergy sufferers.
That's why it's important prevention: knowing the dangers, the risks, for a home with clean air.
