We normally talk about outside air pollution as the main concern, but the air in our house or office could also be polluted to a great extent. Sources of indoor pollution include

• Mold and pollen
• Tobacco smoke
• Household products and pesticides
• Gases such as radon and carbon monoxide
• Materials used in the building such as asbestos, formaldehyde and lead

Usually indoor air quality problems only cause discomfort. Most people feel better as soon as they remove the source of the pollution. However, some pollutants can cause diseases that show up much later, such as respiratory diseases or cancer.

In order to reduce heating or cooling costs (depending on which region they live) many people try to make their homes and offices more airtight which often leads in inadequate circulation of the air and high levels of indoor air pollution that could have adverse effects on human health.

Making sure that our building is well-ventilated and getting rid of pollutants can improve the quality of your indoor air.

But there is another world around us!! Around 3 billion people cook and heat their homes using wood, charcoal, coal, dung, crop wastes etc. Such inefficient cooking and heating practices produce high levels of indoor air pollution which includes a range of health damaging pollutants such as fine particles and carbon monoxide. According to WHO, 4.3 million people a year die from the exposure to household air pollution.

Indoor air pollution is particularly hazardous to elderly people and young children, and can not only lead to respiratory diseases like asthma but also cause heart problems. Indoor air pollution is yet to be widely recognized issue and there has been very little scientific data about emission rates from different appliances we use in our home and offices. There also hasn't been adequate regulation on indoor pollutants that would regulate the acceptable level of indoor air emissions.

So, in simple terms, what we all should do? Let us remember following 5 steps:

1)      Keep our floors fresh :

suck it/Mop it/Keep it out

2)      Keep a healthy level of humidity :

Dust mites and mold love moisture. Keeping humidity around 30%-50% helps keep them and other allergens under control

More tips for dehumidifying our home:

?span style="font: 7pt/normal \"Times New Roman\" font-size-adjust: none font-stretch: normal">         Use an exhaust fan or crack open a window when cooking, running the dishwasher, or bathing.

?span style="font: 7pt/normal \"Times New Roman\" font-size-adjust: none font-stretch: normal">         Don't overwater houseplants.

?span style="font: 7pt/normal \"Times New Roman\" font-size-adjust: none font-stretch: normal">         Vent the clothes dryer to the outside.

?span style="font: 7pt/normal \"Times New Roman\" font-size-adjust: none font-stretch: normal">         Fix leaky plumbing to prevent moisture-loving mold.

?span style="font: 7pt/normal \"Times New Roman\" font-size-adjust: none font-stretch: normal">         Empty drip pans in your window air conditioner and dehumidifier.

3)      Make our home a no-smoking zone:

 Probably the single most important aspect of indoor air pollution is secondhand cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals

4)      Test for radon:

Whether we have a new or old home, we could have a radon problem. This colorless, odorless gas significantly raises the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Drafty homes, airtight homes, homes with or without a basement any home can potentially have a radon problem.

Granite countertops have also been linked to radon. While experts agree that most granite countertops emit some radon, the question is whether they do so at levels that can cause cancer. Testing is easy, inexpensive, and takes only a few minutes.

5)      Smell good naturally:

a.       Look for fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products.

b.      Switch to mild cleaners that don't include artificial fragrances.

c.       Stop using aerosol sprays deodorants, hair sprays, carpet cleaners, furniture polish, and air fresheners.

d.      Let in fresh air. Open windows

e.       Use sliced lemons and baking soda to get a clean scent in the kitchen.

f.       Bring nature indoors. Any room is prettier with a fern, spider plant, or aloe vera. It?s also healthier. NASA research shows that indoor plants like these act as living air purifiers the foliage and roots work in tandem to absorb chemical pollutants released by synthetic materials.