4 Types of Indoor Pollutants in the Air and How They Harm You

You can’t see it with the naked eye, but the air contains plenty of pollutants. 

And even though you might not feel the effects immediately, air pollution has serious side effects. Every year, it is responsible for 4.2 million deaths in the form of:

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Lung cancer

• Acute and chronic respiratory diseases 

It also results in 7 million premature deaths a year. 

Here’s a glaring fact: a whopping 99% of the world’s population live in areas where the levels of air quality exceed the limits set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This means that even countries you would assume have clean air, like Europe, have dangerous levels of air quality. The same goes for Singapore and most of the world. 

If you think that air pollution only exists outdoors where traffic and people, think again. Indoor air pollution poses the same problem as those that exist anywhere else. 

We spend 90% of our time indoors. How much pollutants do you think you take in on a daily basis?

In this article, we explore the different types of indoor air pollutants, how you can suffer from exposure, and how you can minimise the side effects!

Examples of the Main Types of Indoor Air Pollutants and Their Dangers 

1. Dust Mites 

Research has revealed that a few types of mite species are connected to allergen responses. It also showed that homes with high levels of humidity tend to have more dust mites, and in turn, allergens. 

Researchers also discovered that the faecal matter left behind by these mites built up in fabrics around the house. When you dust or vacuum, it causes the faecal particles to become airborne and inhaled by the people at home. 

2. Mould 

Mould is a common indoor air pollutant that exists as fungi, yeast or mushrooms. 

This term is typically used to refer to any type of indoor-growing fungus. They appear in a variety of colours and textures and are usually reproduced by spore reproduction and diffusion. 

Mould flourishes in places where there is plenty of moisture, like wallpaper, wood, drywall, glue, dust, dirt, and more. 

Some types of mould are dangerous to your health, potentially causing these problems:

• Asthma

• Infectious diseases

• Liver cancer

The toxins from mould may lead to lung damage and disease. 

3. Carbon Monoxide 

When you cook (think that huge frying pan you’re using to get the wok hei) or turn on other appliances, the action releases carbon monoxide and other pollutants. This is a colourless gas that inhibits oxygen movement in the body. 

The amount breathed in has an impact on the severity of the side effect. Some of these effects are:

• Nausea

• Headache

• Giddiness

• Confusion

• Severe exhaustion

Excessively high levels of carbon monoxide may even lead to death. A few groups of people may be more vulnerable to its effects:

• The elderly

• Pregnant women

• Young children

• People with heart and lung conditions

4. Pets 

Got a furkid at home? 

Unfortunately, it may be the cause of your allergies. Pets can prompt asthma as a result of their: 

• Hair 

• Urine

• Faces

• Saliva

• Dead skin flakes 

The proteins inside these substances may increase people’s sensitivity and cause allergic reactions. Sometimes, it may even prompt an asthma attack which can be fatal. 

Long-term Side Effects of Indoor Air Pollutants 

While air pollutants may vary, they generally cause similar side effects, whether instantly or over the long term. After years of exposure to these pollutants, serious health problems like respiratory issues, heart or lung disease, or cancer, may occur.

These problems may be life-threatening, and you should take immediate steps to reduce the pollutants at home, especially if you’re housing any one of the more vulnerable groups of people.

How Air Conditioners Can Reduce Indoor Air Pollution 

Modern air conditioners come fitted with an amazing suite of features and functions that aim to improve your health and comfort. 

For example, if you’ve been searching for an LG aircon, the premium LG Artcool series is a suitable choice. Even though it doesn’t use the more environmentally friendly R32 refrigerant, it comes with a range of attractive features. 

This includes the Plasmaster Ioniser that protects you from damaging and contagious particles in the air. It uses a staggering 3 million ions to sterilise the air that passes through your LG aircon. 

The LG non R32 aircon can even sterilise the surrounding spaces as well to give you clean and healthy air. 

It even has an automated cleaning function that avoids bacteria and mould to develop on the heat exchanger. This way, harmful bacteria and other particles cannot accumulate inside your LG non R32 refrigerant aircon. 

Conclusion 

Indoor air pollutants are a very real issue for the people of the world. They can have devastating effects on our health and quality of life. 

Learn how to protect yourself and the people you care about by taking the necessary measures to stop these pollutants from developing and accumulating inside your homes and offices. 

Apart from installing air purifiers with HEPA air filters, air conditioners like the LG non R32 refrigerant aircon can be a huge help as well.