Tag

Indoor Air Quality

All articles tagged with #indoor air quality

lifestyle16 hours ago•37 min saved

Ditch the Pollen: Simple Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home This Spring

Outdoor pollen can sneak into homes on shoes, clothing, hair, pet fur, and via HVAC or open windows. Experts advise a proactive routine: damp-dust with microfiber, vacuum with a HEPA filter, wash bedding and curtains weekly, wipe window treatments and baseboards, and declutter. Also seal entry points, keep doors/windows closed on high pollen days, use doormats and have people change clothes and shoes at the door, groom pets outdoors, purify the air with HEPA filters, maintain HVAC filtration, and avoid synthetic fragrances that can irritate airways.

via Yahoo|

#allergy #home-cleaning #hvac-filters

technology18 days ago•4 min saved

Jet Sink Ventilation: Personalized Airflow Cuts Indoor Infection Risk

UBC Okanagan researchers developed an induction-removal, or jet-sink, personalized airflow device that surrounds the user and pulls exhaled aerosols into a localized purification area, dramatically lowering simulated infection risk to 9.5% (versus 47.6% with standard personal ventilation, 38% with an exhaust-design, and 91% with standard room ventilation) and removing up to 94% of airborne pathogens in a 30-minute scenario. The team plans prototyping and testing in larger spaces and real settings like clinics, classrooms, and offices to improve indoor air safety and potentially influence ventilation standards.

via SciTechDaily|

#airborne-pathogens #indoor-air-quality #infection-risk-reduction

science19 days ago•6 min saved

Short Bursts of Fresh Air Can Boost Indoor Health, Study Finds

Ventilating homes with short, strategic bursts of open windows can dilute indoor pollutants and lower airborne infection risk, but outdoor pollution near busy roads can lessen the benefit. The effectiveness varies by location (greener, quieter areas fare better), timing (lower pollution periods or after rain), and method (Stoßlüften vs. constant small openings). Overall, a balanced approach—short bursts away from traffic and in well-ventilated edges of the home—can improve health, mood, and cognitive function while potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs.

via ScienceAlert|

#air-pollution #cross-ventilation #indoor-air-quality

science27 days ago•4 min saved

Air Fryers Demonstrably Lower Indoor Pollutants Than Traditional Frying, Even with Fatty Foods

A University of Birmingham study using custom air-quality chambers finds air frying releases far fewer volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles than shallow or deep-fat frying across foods with varying fat content. While some items (e.g., frozen onion rings and bacon) produced higher emissions, air frying still yielded 10–100 times fewer VOCs than deep-fat frying. Repeated use without thorough cleaning increased background emissions, highlighting the importance of design that enables deep cleaning. Overall, air fryers can improve indoor air quality, but maintaining low emissions requires good maintenance.

via SciTechDaily|

#air-fryers #cooking-emissions #indoor-air-quality

science1 month ago•8 min saved

Ventilation Takes the Lead in Breakthrough Flu Transmission Study

A hotel-based, two-group clinical trial exposed healthy volunteers to roommates with influenza to study real-world transmission. Despite close contact and shared items, none of the healthy participants became ill, suggesting that coughing and air movement play larger roles in spreading flu than proximity alone. The study found that rapid air mixing and ventilation dilutes airborne virus, while coughing elevates exposure. Age may also influence susceptibility. Practical implications include using portable air purifiers and wearing N95 masks when near coughing individuals; researchers aim to quantify transmission under various conditions in future work.

via SciTechDaily|

#airborne-transmission #indoor-air-quality #influenza

health-and-medicine1 month ago•8 min saved

Airflow and Masks Proved Key in Stopping Flu Spread in Indoor Trial

In a controlled hotel-room study with five influenza patients and 11 healthy volunteers, close face-to-face contact did not result in transmission, likely due to limited coughing, rapid mixing and dilution of airborne virus, and possibly age-related protection; the findings underscore ventilation, air movement, and masking as effective defenses against indoor flu spread and could inform infection-control guidelines.

via ScienceDaily|

#airborne-transmission #health-and-medicine #indoor-air-quality

environment1 month ago•6 min saved

LA Homes Still Contain Toxic Hazards a Year After Wildfires

A year after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, residents continue to face hazardous indoor conditions due to lingering toxins like lead and asbestos, with many struggling to get proper cleanup and insurance coverage, leading to ongoing health risks and emotional distress.

via ABC News|

#environment #indoor-air-quality #insurance-challenges

health3 months ago•4 min saved

Protect Yourself from Harmful Air Pollution

Air pollution, especially PM 2.5, poses significant health risks including heart disease, diabetes, and brain damage. With regulatory standards being rolled back, individuals can protect themselves by using masks like N95s and staying informed about air quality. The article emphasizes the importance of awareness and personal action to mitigate the dangers of invisible airborne toxins.

via WIRED|

#air-pollution #health #health-risks

health6 months ago•3 min saved

Hidden Dangers of Hair Styling: Toxic Nanoparticles and Health Risks

Research from Purdue University reveals that typical hair styling routines, especially those involving heat tools above 300°F, release billions of tiny nanoparticles that can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing respiratory and other health issues. The study highlights the role of heat and certain chemicals like D5 siloxane in nanoparticle formation and emphasizes the importance of good ventilation to reduce exposure. Future research aims to better understand the full health impacts of these emissions.

via Earth.com|

#air-pollution #chemical-exposure #hair-styling

health6 months ago•4 min saved

Study Reveals Unknown Risks of Untested Air Cleaners

A comprehensive review found that most portable air cleaning devices are rarely tested on people for their effectiveness and potential harms, with many generating chemicals like ozone and formaldehyde that could be harmful. The study highlights the need for real-world testing and safety assessments before widespread use, especially given the marketing claims of these products.

via The Conversation|

#air-cleaners #effectiveness-testing #health

science9 months ago•2 min saved

Personal Care Products May Harm Your Body's Natural Defense Systems

Research shows that personal care products like lotions and fragrances can reduce the formation of reactive compounds around the body that impact indoor air quality, potentially influencing human exposure to indoor pollutants by acting as physical barriers or sinks for ozone-related reactions.

via futurity.org|

#body-lotions #chemical-reactions #human-oxidation-field

design1 year ago•4 min saved

Innovative Clay Panels Enhance Indoor Air Quality

Ukrainian architecture firm Makhno Studio has developed breathable clay panels that serve as both insulation and interior decoration, inspired by traditional Ukrainian mazanka houses. These panels, made from Ukrainian white clay mixed with plant materials, naturally regulate humidity and improve indoor air quality by absorbing dust and microorganisms. The project, which reflects a blend of Ukrainian traditions and modern design, is shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2024 in the surface design category.

via Dezeen|

#clay-panels #design #indoor-air-quality

environment1 year ago•2 min saved

"Study Reveals Hidden Benzene Risks in Natural Gas"

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that small, often undetectable natural gas leaks can introduce hazardous air pollutants, including benzene, into indoor environments. Researchers found benzene in 97% of natural gas samples across North America, with significant variations in odorant levels and benzene concentrations among different cities. The study highlights the limitations of relying solely on smell to detect gas leaks and suggests that improved transparency, stricter odorization standards, and enhanced leak detection methods are necessary to protect public health.

via Phys.org|

#benzene #environment #gas-leaks

science-and-health1 year ago•11 min saved

"CO2 Prolongs Airborne Virus Survival"

New research from the University of Bristol reveals that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor environments can significantly extend the lifespan of airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2, challenging long-held beliefs about CO2 as merely an indicator of poor ventilation. This discovery underscores the need for improved indoor air quality standards to mitigate the risk of viral transmission, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.

via STAT|

#co2 #indoor-air-quality #sars-cov-2

environment1 year ago•3 min saved

"Neo Px: The Super Plant Battling Air Pollution"

Neo Px, a bioengineered plant developed by French startup Neoplants, can purify indoor air at a scale equivalent to 30 regular houseplants. It uses a symbiotic system where bacteria colonize the plant's roots, soil, and leaves to absorb harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant, sold in the U.S. for $120, aims to address indoor air pollution, which can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air due to VOCs from household products. Future plans include genetically modified plants for direct air purification and tackling global warming issues.

via Phys.org|

#air-pollution #bioengineering #environment