Susannah Taylor: How toxic is your home? 

Susannah Taylor: How toxic is your home?

Tiny particles or chemicals can contribute to asthma and allergies

Did you know that, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to public health? If that makes you think of smoggy city streets filled with car fumes, think again.

There is mounting evidence that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than outside. That’s because outside, pollution can disperse but in homes it gets trapped, creating a toxic box. In fact, a recent study from the National Air Quality Testing Services showed that ultra-fine particle pollution was on average 3.5 times higher inside UK houses than outside.

Jonathan Grigg, professor of paediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at the Queen Mary University of London, says we all need to be more aware of indoor air pollution, as the tiny particles or toxic chemicals can contribute to asthma or respiratory problems and allergies – especially in children and the elderly. Poor air can also potentially lead to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. The good news is there are many things we can do to keep our airways clean.

Cook with care

When we cook, gases and particulate matter are released – especially if we burn anything. And, says Professor Grigg, these can ‘hang around in your lungs for a while’. However, this can be dramatically reduced by turning on the extractor fan if it takes the air outside or by opening a window. If you’re buying a new stove, Professor Grigg suggests opting for electric over gas, which releases nitrogen dioxide.

Don’t start that fire

Despite being cosy, DEFRA says wood-burning fires contribute to 38 per cent of outdoor air pollution and add enormously to indoor pollution. Tips are to make sure that your wood is dry (as wet stuff produces more smoke) and to avoid any painted, stained or treated wood which can release toxic fumes. And don’t use coal! It is classified by the World Health Organization as a carcinogen.

Eliminate aerosols

Professor Grigg says the fine cloud-like nature of hairsprays, air fresheners and deodorants are not beneficial to lung health or the environment. Switch to non-aerosol alternatives and use cleaning products that contain fewer chemicals. My go-to surface cleaner, which smells of cloves and uses botanicals, is the All-Purpose Tincture (£4.99, tincturelondon.com).

Be mindful of Mould

Don’t think that because mould is natural, it’s not harmful. Professor Grigg explains it produces spores that many can be allergic to. ‘We see many children whose asthma has been made much worse by a mould-ridden environment,’ he says.

Buy an air purifier

There are now a multitude of air purifiers on the market. Philips has some of the most effective including the Series 3000i (£450), which cleans air up to 104 sq m, and a mini desktop version, the Series 800 (£150), which purifies air up to 49 sq m. Both have been proven to remove 99.5 per cent of nano-sized particles including pollen, dust, viruses and bacteria (philips.co.uk).

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