The Philippines has enjoyed massive strides in urbanization and progress in recent years. As an indirect result, however, air quality has rapidly diminished. Today, poor air quality and high air pollution levels are the leading environmental health risk to Filipinos.
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air published their recent findings on how harmful air pollutants have become in the Philippines. In 2019 alone, air pollutants were the primary culprit for 66,230 deaths, about 1,300 of which were children.
Poor Quality Air is a Health Risk
Apart from raising mortality rates, exposure to air pollution has a host of negative health effects. Dirty and polluted air causes respiratory conditions like allergic reactions, like
asthma attacks
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
and even lung cancer.
In addition, poor air quality is also responsible for about 17% of instances of ischaemic heart disease and stroke all over the world. These alarming figures have urged many organizations and government bodies to improve air quality and lessen major air pollutants.
What Causes Poor Air Quality
Air pollution and poor air quality put you in a precarious position. It’s important to know where these pollutants are coming from so you can limit your exposure.
Common Air Pollutants From Outside the House
Air pollution is caused by substances and (mostly gases) abundant in modern cities and societies. The US Environmental Protection Agency lists the 6 most common causes of outdoor air pollution:
carbon monoxide
lead
nitrogen dioxide
ozone
particulate matter of different sizes
sulfur dioxide
These are byproducts of vehicles, machinery, and factories (most of which are man-made) that release gases into the air. They are harmful to human health and even the environment. Another source of air pollution is bushfires, which cause wildfire smoke to enter the
Harmful Chemicals Found Inside Your Home
While there are many pollutants outside the house, the air inside can just be as harmful. There’s also an added challenge to monitoring indoor air quality in your home since indoor air pollutants are often invisible.
Some of these pollutants could come from inconspicuous cleaning products or particle pollution made of microscopic-sized materials from biological pollutants (house dust and mites, pet dander, and bacteria).
Indoor air pollution can even be more harmful in some cases because of high levels of exposure within the home. These irritants pose health risks and can be the main cause of recurring asthma and other pulmonary diseases for household members.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
As community and world leaders continue to find ways to reduce outdoor air pollution and monitor air quality, you need to take immediate steps to protect your health from air pollutants.
Here are some steps to enhance poor indoor air quality:
1. Regular Ventilation
One quick, easy, and free way to get healthy air inside the home is through regular ventilation. Ventilating your home helps remove indoor pollutants and brings in fresh outdoor air. To ventilate your home, simply open windows and use exhaust fans in damp areas around your house, particularly the bathroom and kitchen.
To maximize natural ventilation even further, you can use a cross-ventilation technique, which also helps keep your home cool. To do this, open windows and doors on opposite sides of a room to enhance airflow within the space.
2. Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Most homes in the Philippines have air conditioning units. They’re great equipment to help control humidity indoors, but they tend to collect dust and other biological pollutants. One way to ensure that they’re circulating clean air is to have the AC filters or HVAC filters well-maintained and changed regularly.
Schedule regular checks with technicians about every 3 months to ensure that your air conditioning system is working at its best capacity.
3. Keep Doors and Windows Closed Upon Receiving an Air Quality Alert
The NDRRMC has an SMS alert system when they detect exceptionally poor outdoor air quality. Alternatively, you can also plan ahead by checking the weather app regularly since those record and report the daily outdoor air quality.
During these times, it’s best to close all your windows and doors to protect your home. It would also be in your best interest to stay indoors.
4. Cultivate Indoor Plants to Improve the Air Quality
Plants help purify air, making your home more breathable. They absorb harmful compounds like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide while producing fresh air.
Not only do they help clean the air in your home, but they also help increase humidity in dry indoor spaces which may irritate the throat and lungs. It’s a plus that plants are also often used as decorative items.
5. Invest in an Air Purifier
In this day and age, air purifiers have become mainstays in most households. However, some are better than others. It’s worth it to invest in a high-quality one to protect indoor air quality. When shopping for one, look for one with HEPA filters.
These types of filters are effective in removing air pathogens, allergens, and dust. Place these purifiers in key areas in your home where you usually stay for long periods, such as the living room and bedroom.
6. Use Natural Cleaning Products
As mentioned earlier, many cleaning products release gases (volatile organic compounds like hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, and ammonia) that can damage health. The American Lung Association has found that these compounds can pose serious health risks like cancer and multiple types of birth defects.
Experience Impeccable Air Quality With Camella
Clean air and healthy surroundings are crucial to ensuring high standards of living. Camella helps you keep your home free of harmful air pollutants so you can live fully and without fear of health risks.
To help improve air quality in your home and neighborhood, Camella communities are built to be breathable and with natural airflow.
Our homes are well-equipped with lofty windows and strategically laid-out floor plans to allow clean air to circulate.
Moreover, we design our master-planned communities with lush pockets of greenery and outdoor garden spaces to filter the air while creating a pleasant environment. At Camella, your health and well-being come first.
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