As the world marks World Environment Day, environmental experts have flagged a health hazard hiding in plain sight — the air inside your own home. Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, yet most people remain unaware of the risk.
Nagpur-based environmentalist Dr. Vaishaali Ramesh Chopde says modern lifestyles keep people indoors for nearly 90 per cent of their day, making indoor air quality a direct health concern. “Clean air is a fundamental right, and that right must begin at home,” she said.
Cooking is a primary culprit. Burning gas, wood, coal or kerosene releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and fine PM2.5 particles. Without adequate ventilation, these pollutants accumulate rapidly. Common floor-cleaning products containing ammonia, chlorine and sodium hypochlorite pose additional respiratory, skin and eye risks.
Everyday household items — paints, varnish, plywood, room fresheners, incense sticks and scented candles — emit volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde and benzene, which can cause headaches, dizziness and, over prolonged exposure, cancer.
Experts recommend maintaining cross-ventilation, using natural cleaning alternatives like vinegar and baking soda, placing indoor plants and keeping homes completely smoke-free.
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