✨ How to improve your indoor air quality

Dive into why clean indoor air matters, and what you can do about it.

HealthHack
March 31, 2024

Happy Sunday!

Today, we’re diving into air quality and its health impacts.

Last week, we asked how often you include fermented foods in your diet, and the most votes went to:

Occasionally 🤷

With this week’s focus on air quality, we’d love to know:

Cast your vote for your top choice, and drop a comment in the “Additional Feedback” box on the poll page to share more!

Even when it’s not visible…

There’s a clear link between air quality and health, where contaminants can lead to a wide range of health issues.

Today, we’re looking at what impacts indoor air quality, and what we can do to improve it.

A lot of poor indoor air quality comes from something called fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5.

Exposure to PM_2.5 and other polluted agents can lead to immediate health issues such as respiratory infections, headaches, and dizziness.

And over time, the impact can be far more severe, including chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and even lung cancer.

In addition to bacteria in PM_2.5, air moisture levels can significantly affect the growth of fungi in our homes.

Without proper humidity control, these fungi can flourish, leading to the development of harmful molds.

These molds, in turn, can release toxins and allergens, which pose their own set of health concerns.

Research indicates that poor air quality can also negatively affect sleep, impacting things like:

Improving air quality doesn’t have to be super complicated.

Here are some effective ways to get started:

Maintain Ideal Humidity: Keeping humidity levels within the recommended range of 30-50% can do a lot to reduce the growth of mold and viruses, while promoting good health. The simplest way to do this? Use a humidifier or dehumidifier.

Improve Ventilation: The introduction of fresh outdoor air into your home is crucial. It dilutes and expels pollutants, significantly reducing the possibility of disease transmission. Research supports increasing ventilation as a key strategy for minimizing the spread of airborne diseases.

Stay on Top of Cleaning: Regular cleaning activities, such as dusting and vacuuming with HEPA filters, are vital. These filters are scientifically proven to capture a high percentage of airborne particles, effectively reducing dust and allergens indoors.

Invest in Air Purifiers: Placing HEPA or UV-C air purifiers in your home can capture fine particulates and neutralize airborne pathogens. These devices are essential for maintaining clean air circulation within indoor environments.