Exclusive: Is 'Severe' AQI Levels Worrying You Up? Tips To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

The alarming rise in air pollution levels across the country is now impossible to ignore. Smog clouds our skies, and the air carries the faint yet pervasive scent of pollutants. While outdoor air quality dominates headlines, indoor air pollution remains an overlooked danger—despite being potentially more harmful. According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, India ranks among the top five most polluted countries in the world, with an alarming average PM2.5 concentration more than 10 times higher than the WHO's annual guideline. This rapid deterioration in air quality calls for greater awareness and action to protect our health, especially as the colder months approach.

Theo Jones, Dyson Engineer shares with Zee News Digital queries about the indoor air quality in our home that could help us make educated decisions to reduce air pollution exposure.  

Indoor air quality can be majorly impacted by outdoor air pollution. Home isn't always a safe haven, and pollution can be generated indoors through day-to-day activities, enter the house from outside, and emit from surfaces, eventually making up a complex cocktail of pollutants. As we increasingly seal our homes to seemingly shut pollution out, in truth, we may be shutting it in.

Every day we can breathe in up to 9,000 litres of air1 and spend up to 90% of our time behind closed doors2. Daily household activities such as cooking, cleaning with cleaning solvents, and using deodorants and scented candles are some of the more common indoor air pollutants. Other major indoor air pollutants can include mould, allergens, pollen and pet dander, or formaldehyde from mass-produced furniture.

Outdoor air quality has a direct impact on indoor air quality, often making it worse. While there has been an ever-growing conversation around outdoor pollution and its impact, but fewer people understand the impact it has on indoor air quality, which can be up to 10 times worse.  Commonly, outdoor, and indoor air pollution are considered separate entities, which could be a perception issue. Outdoor pollutants like vehicle exhaust, pollen, and mould spores easily infiltrate our homes, creating a complex mixture of contaminants indoors. Pollutants like vehicle exhaust, pollen, and mould spores easily infiltrate homes through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems. Sealing windows and doors may prevent outdoor pollutants from entering but can trap existing contaminants, worsening the problem.

Indoor air pollution isn’t just caused by external factors—activities like cooking, cleaning, and using personal care products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that mix with outdoor pollutants, creating harmful air. Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, addressing indoor air quality is crucial for overall health and well-being.

 

The concentration of indoor air pollutants can vary across rooms in a home depending on the sources of pollution, objects, and human activities.

For example, bedrooms are typically smaller enclosed spaces compared to other areas in the home, which can result in a higher concentration of indoor air pollutants, especially if the room is poorly ventilated. Similarly, in kitchens, burning fuels such as gas or oil can release VOCs, as well as tiny particulates called PM2.5, which are emitted during combustion.

Maintaining a healthy indoor environment remains optimal to safeguard occupant well-being. Investing in an air purifier is one of the most effective ways to remove a wide range of pollutants from the air. Advanced filtration technologies, such as HEPA and carbon filters, can remove a wide range of pollutants, including dust, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and VOCs, with Dyson’s latest machines offering full-machine HEPA filtration to ensure that what goes inside, stays inside, while formaldehyde sensing and cooling airflow maintain air quality year-round.

Dyson’s latest air purification technology, the Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet, is designed to purify the air in spaces as large as 1000 sq.ft. It uses Cone Aerodynamics to deliver 10-meter projection. Alongside powerful projection, the machine is engineered to operate quietly, producing just 56 decibels of noise - making it Dyson’s quietest yet most powerful purifier. 

Stop pollutants at the door: Pollutants can enter your home in several ways. When outdoor pollution levels are high, it's important to close doors and windows. Additionally, pollution can come in on clothes and shoes, so removing these items before entering your home can help reduce indoor pollution.

Use cleaning products wisely: Some of the VOCs found in our homes can come from the chemicals in cleaning products we use on kitchen surfaces, bathrooms and windows. Using natural cleaning products can help lower the amount of VOCs in your indoor air.

Scents in moderation: Some of the things we might enjoy at home, like scented candles, can also be sources of indoor air pollution. Rather than completely letting go of lighting candles, try them in moderation and preferably in the evening.

Improve Airflow: While sealing your home can help limit pollutants, it's essential to allow fresh air in—especially in areas with combustion appliances, such as kitchens with gas stoves or rooms with fireplaces. Strategic window openings, even for short periods, can clear out indoor pollutants. The MyDyson app lets you track outdoor versus indoor AQI, helping you confidently ventilate when outdoor air quality is better.

Regular Vacuuming: Dust and allergens accumulate on surfaces and clutter. Regularly decluttering and cleaning surfaces can significantly improve air quality. Vacuuming is essential for removing not just visible dust but also hidden allergens and irritants embedded in carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Opt for a vacuum cleaner with strong suction, HEPA filtration to trap fine particles, and specialized attachments to reach challenging areas like crevices and upholstery.

Be careful when letting in “fresh air”: If you reside close to a high-traffic area or a busy road, opening the window can allow outdoor pollution, gases like nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, into your home.