Winter is known to increase the chances of respiratory issues among people. For example, acute cold and cough, inability to breathe properly, and more.
You think staying inside might help improve your respiratory health. However, winter also decreases the indoor air quality which might slow down your recovery.
Why does indoor air quality decrease during winter? Here are the top reasons.
We keep our windows and doors closed during winter. Outside air can’t get inside your house thus reducing the air circulation. Lack of airflow causes the accumulation of pollutants over time.
You constantly get exposed to these pollutants causing allergies, asthma attacks, headaches, and more.
In winter, we see immediate and massive temperature drops. This causes the air near the surface of the earth to get colder and lets the warm air rise up. Since the cold air is trapped below warm air, it also traps all the contaminants and pollutants in the cold air near the surface. For example, dust, smoke, carbon dioxide, and more get trapped in the cold air and stay for longer periods.
Constant exposure to such pollutants deteriorates our respiratory health during winter.
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Products We Use During Winter
We use scented candles, wood, gas-fired stoves, and more during winter. These products release many pollutants including VOCs, carbondioxide, and more into the indoor air. In addition to this, temperature inversion and lack of airflow increases the chances of low indoor air quality thus increasing respiratory issues.
In winter, the air gets dry. Breathing dry air irritates bronchial tubes and lungs. This can cause allergic reactions, coughing, sneezing, and more. It can also weaken the immune system, making you prone to flu during winter.
Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality During Winter
- Install an Air Purifier in Your Home or Office Space. Air purifierswith HEPA filters can remove 99.99% of indoor air pollutants. Periodically switch on the air purifiers for home to purify indoor air.
- Open Windows Periodically. It can be difficult to open windows when it’s freezing outside. But a quick circulation of outdoor air through the windows can drastically change and improve indoor air quality.
- Change Air Purifier Filters. Make sure to change the air purifier filter from time to time. Moreover, you must also get new filters for your HVAC to ensure clean air is circulated in the house.
- Install Air Quality Sensors. Installing air quality sensors in your house will allow you to monitor the levels of these pollutants such as carbon monoxide, VOCs, and radon,and help you take the right action to reduce the harmful effects.
- Store Chemical Products Safely. Make sure to store chemical products such as cleaners in ventilated space to avoid fumes. You can also switch to natural cleaners to avoid harmful chemical pollutants.
Bottom Line
Winter can be a tough season for your respiratory health.Hence, you must make sure harmful pollutants don’t accumulate in the indoor air during winter.
If you want to learn more about how portable air purifiers for home, office and commercial space can help improving indoor air, keep following our blog.
