Indoor vs outdoor air pollution – what are the differences between them?

At this point, the majority of society understands the issue of air pollution and its repercussions not only on the climate but human health as well. But still, not many people seem to realize that indoor air quality is as important. So what is the difference between indoor and outdoor air pollution?

What is indoor air? As the name suggests, it refers to air that is present in confined spaces, whether they’re public or private. That includes homes, apartments, offices, car interiors, schools, hospitals, museums, public transport, and other areas. Unfortunately, indoor air is also susceptible to pollution, and as studies show, its presence can be up to 8 times higher than in outdoor air! This information is especially alarming when we learn that people spend around 80 to 90% of their time indoors.

Does this mean even inside we’re breathing exactly the same pollution as the one present outside? Not necessarily. Of course, some outdoor pollutants can seep inside as well, but most of the time, there’s a significant difference between indoor and outdoor air pollution. Outside, we have to deal with such compounds as carbon monoxide, ozone, lead, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter of different sizes.

Of course, indoors there are different types of air pollution. Some are well-known, like dust, mold, fungi spores, cooking gasses, and cigarette smoke. However, other sources of pollution may be surprising as they include standard equipment present in most homes, such as furniture, paints, glues, varnishes, coatings, and building materials. Pollution can also come from a myriad of everyday objects, such as cleaning and personal care products, laundry detergents, or candles. All of those chemical substances are part of the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), a group that includes all the typical indoor air pollutants. VOCs can cause respiratory problems, decreased lung function, asthma, and numerous other health problems.

So what is worse – indoor vs outdoor air pollution? Any pollution can have detrimental effects on our health, but the quality of the air we breathe about 80 to 90% of the time should be especially important for us. How to improve indoor air quality? Improving indoor air quality can be achieved by ventilating confined spaces, using air purifiers, and reducing the number of products that may be sources of pollution.

Source Airly