We have talked so much about outdoor pollution and it can get quite scary. “Maybe staying indoors would be a good idea” some of you might have this thought but is the air indoors necessarily better? Let’s look at some statistics.
According to WHO, 4.2 million deaths occur due to outdoor pollution yearly and a staggering 3.8 million people die as a result of indoor pollution. Shocking isn’t it? Never imagined that our home – the place we feel most safe and comfortable, can actually be of such high risk for us.
Developing countries
In many developing countries, indoor pollution poses a higher risk to women and children. But why them? This is because of long term exposure to smoke caused by cooking fires which produce pollutants that are harmful to human health (World Health Organisation, 2020). Usually, men are the ones that would be out working while the women will stay indoors together with their children thus increasing their likelihood of suffering from indoor pollution.
(Women carrying a child while cooking)
Developed countries
Are you finding the above example too far fetched? Why not we look at something closer to home. Our houses are actually sources and sinks for some air pollutants. Here are some examples of potential sources of indoor air pollution.
(Potential sources of indoor air pollution)
Horrified by the sources of indoor air pollution? I’m not sure about you guys but I definitely am! I never thought that radioactive pollutants can seep into our houses through the foundation. Looks like staying indoors is not a good idea as well. ><
Now we know that we are susceptible to both outdoors and indoor pollution, with the latter one higher in risk, would we know then like to take some actions to make some change? Not just for ourselves but our loved ones and future generations as well.
Your environmental buddy,
Jeanice
References:
Babul,P. (2016). Air pollution, women and media: Researchers show that women are the worst sufferers of indoor air pollution [Online image]
Retrieved from http://www.theindependentbd.com/arcprint/details/33959/2016-02-15
Natural Resources Department of the Confederated Salish & Kootenal Tribes. (N.D). Potential source of indoor air pollution. [Online image]
Retrieved from http://csktnrd.org/ep/indoor-air-pollution
World Health Organisation. (2020). Air Pollution.
Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_3
Hi Jeanice and Zhi Yong,
Thank you for the insight to how indoor air pollution affects everyone, albeit differently! It is really quite scary to know that we are actually breathing in polluted air even when we think we are safe at home.
I am sure that you will be discussing more about how we can reduce air pollution. However, may I know if the air purifiers that we use actually make a difference to the air quality at home? What other ways would you suggest to improve air quality at home or should I trash my purifier?
From,
Pollutant de Jure
https://blog.nus.edu.sg/pollutantdejure/
Hello Ryan,
Thank you for your reply. We are also interested to find out whether air purifiers does remove a substantial amount of air pollutants from the air and we will look into it. Keep a look out for it 🙂
Your environmental buddies,
Zhi Yong and Jeanice