6 Natural Ways to Purify Air at Home

Aashna Ahuja , NDTV  |  Updated: November 09, 2017 10:26 IST

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As Delhi's air pollution remains at hazardous levels, we've listed 6 natural ways to purify at home.

Did you know: The air inside your home is actually 2 to 5 times more polluted and toxic than the air you breathe outdoors? It's appalling, really. We go for regular health check-ups, pop pills on a daily basis, stress over allergies, but neglect the most basic thing there is - the quality of the air we breathe 24/7. Everything from the mattresses we sleep on to our kids' pajamas can contain harmful chemicals and toxins. Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Healing Touch Hospital says, "Breathing in toxic gases can cause rashes, coughing, irritation in the eyes, as well as asthma like symptoms.

Formaldehyde, a toxic gas, is found in insecticides, glues, shampoos, shaving creams, carpets and is actually a carcinogen. It is even found in cigarette smoke which is a major contributor to air pollution and can lead to potentially fatal complications, even if it's secondhand smoke. Also, chemicals from paint, woodwork in the house or office, hair and nail products, cleaning products and detergents - all contribute to air pollution inside our homes. It surprises me how so many potentially harmful contaminants get trapped inside our homes, and we can't even open a window to get some fresh air!

A team of researchers led by the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom published a study on air pollution in Delhi, also known as 'the most polluted city in the world'. According to the study, New Delhi suffers from a "toxic blend of geography, growth, poor energy sources and unfavourable weather which boosts dangerously high levels of air pollution".

 

These pics sent by Dr Trehan

Left pic -Lung of a 55yr old from HP

Right pic- Lung of a 52 yr old from Delhi pic.twitter.com/FstcFOocoQ

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) December 10, 2015

The capital city is gasping for air, shrouded in a thick blanket of toxic smog. So we thought it fit to list natural ways to purify the air at home and your workplace, since we spend so much of our time inside the house (an average of 90%). After all, breathing in clean air should be a priority.

6 Natural Ways to Purify Air at Home

1. Increase Ventilation

Ventilating homes reduces moisture levels, a major problem for indoor air quality. But no, we're not asking you to open a window and let all the outdoor air pollution enter your living space. Instead, install trickle vents to purify and cycle the air you breathe indoors. Another great alternative is to use exhaust fans which help carry pollutants outside. Make it a point to ventilate your kitchen since cooking can be a major source of indoor air pollution, especially if you have a gas stove. Scientists who measured indoor air quality found that cooking a single meal on a gas stove can produce levels of nitrogen dioxide that the EPA considers unsafe to breathe. Also, after you take a shower, be sure to vent out all the steam and extra moisture in the air which can cause mold and mildew growth by turning the fan on.



2. Beeswax Candles

Beeswax candles act as natural air purifiers. If you love to fill your home with scented candles, avoid paraffin candles which are petroleum derived and release benzene, toluene and soot into the air. Since these candles do more harm than good, opt for beeswax candles which ionise the air and neutralise toxic compounds and other contaminants. Besides improving the air quality at home, beeswax candles burn slowly so you don't need to replace them often. In fact, pure beeswax candles burn with almost no smoke or scent. They are especially helpful for asthmatics and to remove common allergens like dust from the a