A breath of fresh air: eliminating airborne pollutants from your home

Airborne pollutants and allergens are notorious for spreading germs. They’re responsible for as many as half of the illnesses we suffer, not to mention the way they aggravate allergies like hayfever and respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Statistics suggest that the air in our homes actually contains five times more pollution than we’re exposed to while outside. An air purifier is an effective solution to improve the quality of the air we breathe in at home, removing 99.7% of pollutants, though there are some other simple changes we can make for a happier, healthier household.

A new study from air quality expert Dr Julie Riggs, in collaboration with Fellowes and Netmums, set out to find some of the most common airborne pollutants and the research had some interesting results.

Cleaning products and air fresheners are, ironically, one of the main culprits when it comes to poor air quality. Almost half of the sprays and plug-ins we use to keep our homes smelling clean and fresh in fact contain damaging toxins which can be harmful when breathed in, particularly if you suffer from asthma.

Pets are the main contributor when it comes to allergens at home. Our furry friends may be beloved members of the family, but it’s important to vacuum regularly to decrease the extra dust they create.

The five main pollutants of household air, and how you can reduce them, are illustrated in the infographic created to accompany Dr Riggs’ study.

Click here for more information about Fellowes.

Guest post written by Jenny Ho