Indoor Pollution

When most people think of pollution, they imagine heavily congested cities with foggy air. Most consumers do not realize that pollution is not only found outdoors, but also in their own homes.  This indoor pollution can be just as harmful to our health, or even worse.  In fact, according to the EPA, the air inside our homes is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Considering the fact that we spend most of our time indoors, making sure that our air quality is clean is detrimental to our health. VOC’s or volatile organic compounds are the gases that are released from cleaning products and paints. These gases are known to cause skin irritation, headaches, nausea, kidney damage, and even cancer.

There are several ways to improve indoor air pollution, specifically by changing the cleaning products we use. Indoor air pollution is mainly caused by cleaning products, smoke, and gas stoves.  Most cleaning products, which are not naturally derived, contain harmful cancer causing ingredients. When we use these cleaning products, it resides in our home and ultimately, the air that we breathe. Alcohol, acetone, ammonia, butane, calcium carbonate, hydrochloric acid, acid blue 9, methylene chloride, and xylene are some of the many carcinogens contained in household products. Consumers can protect their homes and their health from harsh irritants by buying indoor plants that are known to help air quality, like English Ivy and Aloe Vera. Consumers must also frequently open their windows for ventilation, and purchase organic based cleaners that do not contain any harsh chemicals. Naturally based, or organic, cleaners do not contain heavy metals, carcinogens, or neurotoxins. Several health problems, like chronic respiratory illnesses, can be eliminated by simply switching to naturally based cleaners.