Many assume their indoor air is clean if they live away from wildfire smoke zones, smoggy cities, or other sources of outdoor pollution. But this assumption may be misguided. According to Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and chairman of Change the Air Foundation, "Unfortunately, our indoor air is not as healthy as you may think." Rubino, who also hosts the Never Been Sicker podcast, points to factors many homeowners overlook when assessing air quality.
According to Dr. James Langer, a Materials Science Engineer and CEO of Colorfil, "Indoor air can be five times or more polluted than outdoor air, which can lead to an array of negative health consequences ranging from nuisance-like headaches or more serious issues like chronic allergies, asthma, or even cancer. Notably, indoor air quality can be an issue regardless of where you live, as the primary sources of indoor air pollution come from inside the home itself."
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
Pollutants such as cigarette smoke, excessive dust, visible mold, and pet dander may be obvious culprits in making the indoor air a little harder to breathe. Still, they're only part of the problem and may not even be the biggest.
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help tremendously, but being aware and having good, healthy air habits are equally important. We spoke to three experts about the surprising things inside your home that may contribute to poor air quality, and what changes you can make to help combat them.
1. Cooking
A number of studies show that gas stoves present a real risk to air quality and respiratory health. Alessandro Citterio
It doesn't matter whether you have a gas or electric stove, or if you do the majority of your cooking in a contained space like the oven or microwave. "The No. 1 contributor to indoor air pollution is definitely cooking," says Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of IQAir North America, Certified Indoor Environmentalist, and licensed HVAC contractor. "We tend to be concerned about smells, but high-heat cooking, especially over open heat, is a significant source of p.m. 2.5, a type of particulate matter that can easily get into our lungs."
However, this is not necessarily an excuse to order more takeout or a directive to invest in sous vide equipment. "Cooking with induction makes a tremendous difference to help the air quality," says Dolphin Hammes, as does installing a true exhaust fan. "I emphasize that word 'true' because we don't realize that 99% of all exhaust fans actually recirculate the air indoors," she says. Simply opening a window can also be beneficial in reducing cooking pollution.
Read more: Gas Stove Are Here to Stay, but Are They Safe? Here's What You Need to Know
... continue reading