Most think that cars, trucks or factories are the leading cause of air pollution. But this is not the case, it is the air in the home. And this indoor air quality can result in a significant adverse impact on your health. Why? Because Australians spend 90% or more of their time indoors. This means that we have more exposure to contaminants in the air.   In fact because your homes are insulated it means that our pollutants hang around the home for longer.

So how polluted is the air in your home?

The indoor air we are exposed to is two to five times more polluted than the air we are exposed to outside. Many of the products we use in the home are filled with synthetic ingredients; these gradually exude harmful toxins in the environment we are exposed to. The Environment Protection Authority has even gone as far as saying that indoor air is among the top 5 risks to public health.

So, what can you do about it?

Add indoor plants to your living areas, let the air into your house and diffuse essential oils.

1. Add Indoor plants to your living areas

There have been many research studies done on indoor air quality, particularly in offices. And these are the results. Indoor plants:

• Improve indoor air quality, helping to remove volatile organic compounds from buildings and help to alleviate the symptoms of sick building syndrome
• They help improve workplace productivity by 15%
• They help reduce stress.  UTS (University of Technology Sydney) have conducted research that showed plants at work helped in the following ways:
  • 37% reduction in tension/anxiety
  • 58% reduction in depression/dejection
  • 44% reduction in anger/hostility
  • 38% reduction in fatigue

2. Open your windows and doors

This should be done every day to ensure the stale air is replaced by clean fresh air.

3. Use an Essential Oil Diffuser

Pure essential oils can be very beneficial in transforming synthetic chemicals and oxygenating the air while also making a room smell delightful. Why? Because essential oils are plants in a bottle. 100% pure authentic essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic liquids made from the shrubs, flowers, roots, bushes, skin and resins of plants. When you add 6 to 10 drops of pure essential oils, and water, to a diffuser it turns them into millions of micro particles and creates an aromatic mist in the air of your home filling 200 square metres. Your home will smell great and the air …. Aaaahhhh. These are the oils blends I love to use in my home - Joy, Citrus Fresh, Purification and Cedarwood.

   

    References: http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/environment-protection/air-quality/indoor-air http://interiorplantscape.asn.au/resources/benefits-plants/