Consider solid wood options if budget allows — they last longer and emit fewer chemicals
📌 Even the glue and varnish used on furniture can impact air quality — ventilation helps.
5. Gas Stoves
Gas stoves release nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide, and fine particles — all of which can contribute to asthma symptoms, especially in children.
✅ Safer tips:
Always cook with the range hood on, vented outdoors if possible
Open a window during and after cooking
Avoid using the stove to heat your home
Consider electric or induction cooktops for a cleaner alternative
📌 Even short-term cooking without ventilation can spike indoor pollution.
6. Old Carpets & Dust Traps
Carpets — especially older ones — trap dust, pet dander, mold spores, and chemical residues from past spills or treatments.
Vacuuming without a HEPA filter can actually release these back into the air.
✅ Safer tips:
Vacuum weekly with a HEPA-filter vacuum
Remove shoes indoors to limit tracked-in dirt and toxins
Consider replacing old carpets with hard floors or low-pile rugs
Use a dehumidifier in damp areas to prevent mold
📌 Soft furnishings can act as both comfort and pollution sources — balance is key.
✅ How to Improve Indoor Air Quality — Simple Daily Habits
You don’t need expensive gadgets to make a big difference.
Try these practical steps:
Open windows daily — even 5–10 minutes helps flush out stale air
Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms — especially while cooking or showering
Keep humidity between 30–50% — too much encourages mold; too little dries airways
Ban smoking indoors — secondhand smoke is a serious health risk
Test for radon — an invisible gas and leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
🩺 Radon test kits are affordable and widely available at hardware stores.
❌ Debunking Common Myths
Let’s clear up a few misconceptions:
❌ “Candles cause lung cancer”
➤ Not true — moderate, occasional use is low-risk
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