Just because you don't battle wildfire smoke or city smog on the daily doesn't mean you're not susceptible to polluted air. In many cases, the call -- or cause of this tainted air -- may be coming from inside the house.
According to Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and chairman of Change the Air Foundation, "Indoor air is not as healthy as we may think." Rubino, who hosts the health-focused podcast Never Been Sicker, identifies several potential offenders sitting in our homes, going mostly unnoticed
Don't miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.
While obvious offenders like cigarette smoke, dust buildup, visible mold and pet dander clearly compromise indoor air quality, these represent just a fraction of the issue -- and may not even be the most serious threats.
According to 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.
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help, but being aware and having good, healthy air habits are equally important. I spoke with 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. Your gas stove
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 isn't 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.
... continue reading