The Silent Polluter: How Bad Is the Indoor Air in Our Homes?

When we think of health, we often think of nutrition, exercise, or getting enough sleep. But one crucial aspect is surprisingly often overlooked: the air we breathe indoors. This is remarkable, considering we spend about 80 percent of our time indoors. Just how bad is indoor air? And what can we do about it?

We spend a lot of time indoors. So it's inevitable that it plays a role in our health. Yet, only 13 percent of Dutch people consider a healthy indoor climate an important part of their health. This is according to recent consumer research by Gezond Binnen (Healthy Indoors).

The air inside your home is dirtier than you might think . Indoor air often contains more pollutants than many people realize. Fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, cooking fumes, and cleaning products can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, irritated eyes, or respiratory problems. Long-term exposure can even lead to chronic conditions like asthma. Environmental pollution has even been linked to fertility problems .

What makes indoor climate so treacherous is that pollution is often invisible. Poor air quality is rarely recognized immediately. People rarely link their complaints to indoor air quality. This is also evident from the survey: almost half of respondents experience health problems that could be related to their indoor climate, but rarely, if ever, recognize the connection.

While technological tools such as air quality meters and ventilation systems are useful, a healthier indoor climate often starts with awareness and small behavioral changes.

Regular ventilation is essential, even in winter. Yet, many people do the opposite during the colder months. They keep their vents closed and windows tightly shut. This dries out the air due to heating, which can cause problems such as dry skin or irritated airways.

During the summer, there's another risk: overheating. Instead of immediately reaching for the air conditioning, experts say it's wiser to use blinds during the day and only open the windows for natural cooling in the evening. Air conditioning can be a useful addition, but it's not a replacement for structural ventilation.

There are also gains to be made in the kitchen. Cooking with the lid on the pan reduces harmful emissions, as does turning on a properly functioning extractor hood. Many people don't realize that the placement of the pan also plays a role: by placing pans on the rear burners, the extractor hood captures most of the cooking fumes more effectively.

In addition, it's important to avoid sources of indoor air pollution. Candles, incense, and some air fresheners may look inviting, but they can significantly worsen air quality. Yet, only one in five people takes this into account.

Air quality also plays a role in the workplace. Approximately one in five employees regularly experiences complaints due to an unhealthy indoor climate. Yet, not every employer takes action. Only 19 percent of respondents indicated they inform their employer about this. This is a small number, especially considering that fresh air in the workplace has been proven to contribute to concentration, productivity, and general well-being.

According to TNO, smart ventilation systems and air quality sensors can make a difference, but the responsibility doesn't lie solely with employers. Half of the respondents believe the government should play a much more active role in informing and supporting a healthy indoor climate. This aspect is often overlooked, especially when purchasing or renovating homes. Subsidy programs are also perceived as complex and inaccessible.

A significant portion of the Dutch population (20 percent) is unwilling to invest in improving indoor air quality. At the same time, the study shows that significant gains can be achieved with simple, free measures: ventilating daily, avoiding polluted air, and regularly getting outside for fresh air.

These households are still eligible for health care allowance

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