As the new year arrives, we shut our windows tightly to ward off the winter chill. However, skipping ventilation could be doing more harm than good. Indoor pollutants can seriously harm your health, so it’s recommended that you open the windows for about 30 minutes three times a day. Don’t worry about the cold—winter’s temperature difference makes for super-quick air circulation, so even a quick airing out can work wonders.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that without proper ventilation, you’re 1,000 times more likely to breathe in harmful indoor pollutants than outside. The indoor pollutants that can negatively affect our health are as follows:
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is emitted from building materials and adhesives. It sneaks into the body through the skin and lungs, irritating the eyes, nose, and throat, even at low levels. Worse, it’s a known carcinogen, and higher doses can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Nitrogen Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide
Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide are generated during combustion, such as from heaters or gas stoves. High concentrations in the air can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and, in extreme cases, unconsciousness or death.
Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs)
These include benzene, toluene, and xylene, hiding in your paints, adhesives, and even dry-cleaning solvents.
Benzene is a carcinogen. The body absorbs approximately 50% of benzene through breathing, and long-term exposure can lead to difficulty breathing irregular heartbeat, and even coma.
Toluene is mainly absorbed through the respiratory system, causing headaches, fatigue, and balance disorders. High exposure can cause paralysis.
As for xylene, inhalation can make you dizzy, drowsy, and numb. It might even mess with your lungs and kill your appetite.
Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless naturally occurring radioactive substance mainly found in granite rocks and soil. It enters buildings through cracks in the floor or walls. It is a significant cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking.
How to Reduce Indoor Pollutants
First things first: go green with your products. Look for eco-friendly options with fewer chemicals. Ventilation is also crucial for increasing outdoor air intake and reducing pollutant concentration.
When the air quality is good, follow the 30-minute ventilation rule three times a day. In newly built buildings, the “bake-out” method—raising the indoor temperature and ventilating to remove indoor pollutants—can be helpful.
Even when it’s freezing outside, open those windows for two minutes every couple of hours or leave your balcony door cracked just a smidge.
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