With automobile pollution, wildfire smoke, and even pollen counts seemingly on the rise in many parts of the world, it’s natural to wonder about the side effects of poor air quality on your health. Even gas stoves used for cooking are developing a bad reputation, and officials in some cities are trying to phase them out.
But which side effects of poor air quality should you be most concerned about? Are there differences between indoor and outdoor air pollution? And what can you do to protect yourself?
Here’s what you need to know about the health effects of air pollution, and some steps you can take to reduce your exposure—both inside and out.
What Are the Effects of Poor Air Quality?
The side effects of poor air quality on your health depend on the amount of exposure to air pollution and whether or not you have any underlying health problems.
In the short term, the symptoms of air pollution can include:
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Eye irritation
In cases of short-term exposure, the symptoms should be temporary and subside when the air quality improves. Long-term exposure to air pollution can potentially lead to:
- Lung cancer
- Reduced lung function
- Emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that poor air quality is responsible for up to 6.7 million premature deaths each year. Nearly half of these deaths are caused by indoor air pollution, especially open flames used for cooking in the developing world.
Who’s Most at Risk of Poor Air Quality?
Not everyone who is exposed to poor air quality will experience the same side effects. The people with the highest susceptibility to air pollution include:
- Children
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- Adults with existing health problems
For example, adults who have asthma may be at increased risk of asthma attacks when exposed to high levels of polluted air, while those with heart disease or high cholesterol could be at higher risk of a heart attack.
Active adults—including those who work or exercise outdoors—may also be at risk due to the higher amount of air pollution exposure.
Hot weather can also impact air quality, contributing to smog and ground-level ozone, and putting people at risk of sudden health impacts and hospitalization.
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What Are the Main Types of Air Pollution?
Air pollution usually comes from the following sources:
- Vehicle emissions
- Factories, including power plants that use fossil fuels
- Heating sources (such as wood stoves)
- Smoke from forest fires
Pollen might also contribute to poor air quality, but it isn’t technically “pollution.”
The five main types of air pollution include:
- Ozone
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Particulate matter
How Is Air Quality Measured?
Different types of sensors are used to measure different types of air pollution. In indoor spaces, you can use a carbon monoxide meter to ensure that your gas stove or heater isn’t emitting unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.
Some organizations measure pollution using the AQI, or Air Quality Index. This gathers readings from multiple sources to calculate a real-time score in each location.
A score of 50 or under is good, while anything over 100 represents poor air quality. In times of high air pollution, such as wildfires, the AQI can rise as high as 500.
The AQI also reports concentrations of particulate matter. PM10 refers to fine particles of chemicals, dust, and organic matter that are smaller than 10 micrometers across.
PM2.5 refers to even smaller airborne particles (2.5 micrometers in diameter) that can penetrate deeper into the respiratory system and create additional health risks
Can Indoor Air Quality Make You Sick?
Although shutting your windows against outdoor air pollution may seem like a quick fix, it isn’t a complete solution. That’s because poor ventilation can trap air pollution that’s already in your home, increasing concentrations of dangerous chemicals.
Additionally, some pollutants may not be coming from outside at all. Many homes and office buildings are built using chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.
Even common appliances, like gas stoves and heaters, can release carbon monoxide and other pollutants if they aren’t used appropriately.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that “Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.”
What Are the 5 Main Factors That Affect Indoor Air Quality?
The European Public Health department identifies at least five factors that affect indoor air quality—and some of them might surprise you. They include:
- Pests. Mice and cockroaches aren’t just a nuisance: they can produce allergens that impact human health. Even house pets such as dogs and cats can have an impact on air quality, especially if they carry outdoor particles in with them.
- Humidity. Humidity can have an effect on indoor air quality in two different ways. Too much moisture in the air can support the growth of mold and other biological organisms that cause respiratory diseases. Not enough humidity, and you might experience dry eyes and skin irritation, as well as respiratory effects.
- Ventilation. Insufficient ventilation can cause pollutants to build up and even recirculate dust and microbes. You can remedy this by opening your windows when the outdoor air quality is good, or upgrading your ventilation system.
- Chemicals. In addition to acute respiratory symptoms, chemicals in the air can increase the risk of cancer and other long-term health effects. These chemicals could include cleaning products, as well as volatile organic compounds that are released from new carpets and furniture.
- Temperature. Just as hot weather makes outdoor pollution worse, high indoor temperatures can exacerbate the impact of VOCs and other pollutants.
How Do You Fix Poor Indoor Air Quality?
One way to address poor air quality is to assess the levels of air pollution in your home or office. You can use an air quality meter to monitor overall air quality levels, or use a carbon monoxide meter to check for pollution from your gas stove or heater.
It may turn out that different parts of your home have better ventilation or less humidity than others. You could take steps to improve the ventilation in some areas, or install a humidifier (or dehumidifier) to adjust the moisture levels.
Even if you don’t want to buy any new equipment, there are steps you can take to make a difference. Harvard Medical School recommends cleaning your home regularly to remove mold, dust, and pet dander, and using a fan to ventilate the kitchen. Other solutions include buying an air purifier with a HEPA filter, and changing the filters in your existing ventilation system.
Can You Test the Air in Your Home?
If you’re experiencing the side effects of poor air quality, such as headaches or difficulty breathing, then it’s a good idea to test the air in your home. But it’s important to know which pollutants you want to test for.
A portable air quality monitor can test for VOCs, particular matter, and other pollutants, but it may not cover every environmental health hazard.
For example, to test for mold, you’ll need to use a swab test or petri dish test, some of which require you to send a sample to a lab.
Some health hazards, such as carbon monoxide and radon, may require continuous monitoring rather than a single test.
And if you suspect a gas leak, don’t try and test for it yourself: go outside and call your gas company right away so they can come and fix it.
Can Plants Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Plants are great for the environment: they remove carbon dioxide from the air, and can even filter out certain toxins. But do they really make a difference when it comes to the side effects of poor air quality in your home? That’s debatable.
Although some types of houseplants do remove toxins, Science in the News explains that, “You’d need close to 10 plants per square foot before potted plants start cleaning the air at almost the same rate it’s removed via exchange with outdoor air!”
Harvard Health even points out that they could increase the amount of mold in the air. So while houseplants could have a small impact on indoor air quality, they don’t make up for a lack of ventilation or a high-quality air purifier.
How Do You Purify the Air In Your House?
The best way to purify the air in your home is to prevent the buildup of pollutants in the first place. That means dusting and vacuuming your home frequently, and making sure to wash curtains, bedsheets, and mattresses on a regular basis.
If you use candles or cook with natural gas, make sure there’s enough airflow. Always turn on the exhaust fan when cooking, and open the windows if possible.
You can also look for vacuums, air conditioners, and air purifiers that use HEPA filters. This stands for “high efficiency particulate air,” and these filters can get rid of 99.7% of airborne particles that are at least 0.3 microns in size.
Are Air Purifiers Worth It?
Air purifiers might be worth it, depending on which side effects of poor air quality you’re experiencing, and which type of air purifier you choose. HEPA filters and UV filters are best for removing fine particles, while carbon filters trap harmful gasses.
That said, you’ll need an air purifier that’s powerful enough to filter the house that you’re using it in in order to make a difference. Check the clean air delivery rate (CADR) to find out how many cubic feet per minute it filters. And remember, you’ll need to change the filter regularly to ensure that it’s working effectively,
Air purifiers and filters can be expensive, and there may be cheaper ways to address the side effects of poor air quality in your home. Still, if you suffer from allergies or frequent respiratory infections, it may be worth the investment.
Understanding the Health Effects of Air Quality Can Help You Make Better Choices
While we can’t remove every single pollutant from the air that we breathe, it’s important to be aware of which factors are most concerning and understand the signs and side effects of poor air quality. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself—like keeping your space well-ventilated, clean, and not too damp. You can also install a carbon monoxide detector in your home (or have your landlord do so for your apartment) and use an air purifier when possible. Also, be mindful if you have any health risks when heading outdoors and how to best approach different situations. When you have the right information, you can reduce your exposure to less-than-ideal air quality both inside and out.
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