All articles tagged with #indoor air pollution
A study reveals that indoor activities like wood burning and cooking significantly contribute to indoor air pollution, which can pose health risks, especially during holiday seasons when people spend more time at home. Simple measures such as improving ventilation, careful stove management, and using exhaust fans can help reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
A study by Pusan National University found that common household appliances like toasters and hair dryers emit trillions of ultrafine particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and contain heavy metals, potentially increasing health risks such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases. The research highlights the need for improved appliance design and stricter regulations to reduce indoor air pollution.
Recent research shows that scented candles emit harmful nanoparticles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pollute indoor air, potentially causing health issues like respiratory problems, hormone disruption, and chronic diseases. Even natural or 'green' candles release toxins, and indoor pollution from these products can accumulate in poorly ventilated homes, posing particular risks to children and pets. To reduce exposure, it's recommended to ventilate spaces and opt for unscented, natural wax candles like beeswax.
A new study from Stanford researchers found that gas stoves, which are used in a majority of California households, can emit a chemical linked to cancer at levels higher than those caused by secondhand tobacco smoke. The chemical benzene can spread far from the kitchen and linger inside for hours at levels that have prompted investigations when detected outdoors. The findings have especially large implications for California, where 70% of households use natural gas for cooking. The researchers recommend switching to induction stoves as the best method of protection against benzene emissions.
A new study led by Stanford University finds that using a gas stove or oven can raise indoor levels of benzene, a chemical linked to a higher risk of leukemia and other blood cell cancers, above those in secondhand tobacco smoke. Benzene can also migrate into other rooms far from the kitchen and linger for hours in home air. The study recommends using portable induction cooktops or electric kitchenware to reduce exposure to pollutants from gas stoves.
A new study by Stanford University has found that using a single gas stove burner can raise indoor concentrations of benzene, a human carcinogen, to levels above what’s found in secondhand tobacco smoke and even to levels that have prompted local investigations when detected outdoors. Gas stoves emit other harmful pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde and can also leak methane, a potent greenhouse gas, even when they are turned off. The study has prompted concerns over the health effects of gas stoves and has led some cities and states to seek to phase out gas connections in residential buildings.
Gas stoves emit benzene, a chemical linked to cancer, according to a study by Stanford University. The research found that levels of benzene can reach higher than those found in secondhand tobacco smoke and can spread throughout a home. The study adds to a growing body of scientific evidence showing that emissions within the home are more harmful than gas stove owners have been led to believe. Gas stoves have also emerged as a culture war issue, with lawmakers in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives recently introducing and passing two pieces of legislation aimed at limiting new regulations on gas stoves.
Indoor air quality monitors can help you determine the level of common pollutants in the air, allowing you to eliminate them and live healthier. They typically include a display to show their readings or a smartphone app. An indoor air quality monitor can be particularly beneficial if you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses, or you just want to avoid getting any diseases because of poor air quality. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) says there are no widely accepted levels of indoor pollutants, so any triggers or problems notified by air quality monitors are based on the manufacturer’s determination.