In major parts of the world this is summer season & particularly is Asian sub-continent heat wave is at its full spate. People prefer indoors & survival depends on Air-conditioning only. Night & day AC is on. The myth is that there is more pollution outside & its? considered better to stay indoors at home, in the office or in the shopping malls.

Do you ever have wondered about the quality of air you are breathing in. It may contain the level of pollution upto 5 times higher than outdoors. This is baffling considering the aspect that we all presume that indoors is less polluted than outdoors. So much dependence on Air-conditioning is making us sicker each passing day. The more we are closer to nature better we are. As we move away the problems start setting in.

There are many possible reasons for indoor air poor quality:

1.     Presence of asbestos in construction material. Prolonged exposure to asbestos leads to asbestosis, a disease causing slow and painful death. Any structures containing the material ?should be removed safely as soon as possible?.

2.     Radon Gas. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you're at high risk for developing lung cancer

3.     Dirty Air-conditioning. At the very beginning, from construction, air conditioning systems aren?t clean So, when a building is handed over to a client or the end user, unless [it is] specified in the contract specifications, it?s not usually clean. This causes many problems for the occupier because anything can be left inside ventilation shafts, including construction material, gypsum, bits of steel, even bits of the duct. From that, the residents and occupiers are using a dirty air-conditioning system and this obviously has a negative effect on the indoor air quality, in terms of particulates. The UAE?s humid climate lowers the ability to dehumidify air, leading to excessive mould. This can lead to leaks in chilled-water piping insulation and, in extreme cases, can make buildings uninhabitable.

4.     Excessive Carbon Monooxide. If you are working in a small, closed facility and there is a car inside, carbon monoxide is released from the exhaust, which will create fatigue and drowsiness, then lead to unconsciousness and finally death

5.     Household pets. They can be a major source of allergies and asthma.

6.     Burning of Incense Burning bakhoor, or incense, should be limited to between five and 10 minutes a day, a few times a week. Many people here use it every day for long stretches of time without opening the windows.

Level of oxygen in the house can be boosted by spreading plants around the house.

More details can be read in the links provided.

Thanks for reading.

Sources & Reference:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)

The Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology (JEPE)

WHO guideline for indoor air quality

http://www.standardheating.com/indoor-air-quality/

http://www.ahchooindoorairquality.com/blog/