Winter poses a higher risk of indoor air pollution. The biggest factor is the increased difficulty in ventilating rooms, including the kitchen, since windows can't be opened as in warmer months. Heating systems also emit pollutants, especially when they're old or faulty.
"Indoor air is not as healthy as we may think," explains Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse and chairman of the Change the Air Foundation. The podcast host calls out several overlooked contaminants that pollute the air in our homes.
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 have health consequences ranging from nuisance-like headaches to more serious issues like chronic allergies, asthma and even cancer.
Air purifiers and dehumidifiers make a difference, but knowing where pollutants come from and minimizing is your best guard against air quality issues. I spoke with experts about surprising things in your home that may contribute to poor air quality and what changes you can make to control them.
1. Gas stoves
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, such as 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 help reduce cooking pollution.
Read more: Gas Stoves Are Here to Stay, but Are They Safe? Here's What You Need to Know
2. HVAC systems
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