Worst pollutants in your home revealed from dog hair to candles – don’t get caught out
BRITS are complete ‘airheads’ when it comes to indoor air pollution, research has revealed.
A survey of 2,000 adults found many aren’t aware candles, dog hair, and even air fresheners are possible pollutants in the home.
While others didn’t know the possible health risks of such items – with 67 per cent not linking indoor air pollutants to lung cancer, and 81 per cent dismissing their impact on heart disease.
It also emerged 64 per cent will crack a window and 52 per cent open a door to get fresh air in their home – but 17 per cent never think about the consequences of letting in pollution.
A spokesperson for Dyson, which commissioned the research, said: “There are so many possible sources of pollution in the home.
“There has been a lot of discussion over recent months about issues arising from particulates coming from log-burning stoves, which many have in their living rooms.
“But indoor air pollution can come from all sorts of sources, including common items like candles or paint.
“Not to mention, if you live in an inner-city, simply opening a window can allow outside pollutants in, potentially damaging health.”
The study also found 39 per cent of adults admitted as long as their home ‘feels’ clean, they assume there is no air pollution.
Respondents were also asked which terms they associate most with the word ‘pollution’, with 49 per cent selecting fossil fuels like oil or natural gas.
Others link it with personal transport such as cars, trains or planes (43 per cent), and manufacturing processes (31 per cent).
But 21 per cent selected single-use plastics, while 19 per cent opted for aerosols and their associated CFCs.
Nearly half (43 per cent) confessed to not being knowledgeable on the subject of air pollution, with 48 per cent wishing they knew more about the matter.
It also emerged 28 per cent said they or someone in their home is prone to regular coughing and sneezing fits.
To try and combat indoor air pollution, 65 per cent of those with an issue try and keep rooms well-ventilated, and 49 per cent vacuum regularly.
While 32 per cent have switched from a spray to a roll-on deodorant, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Dyson’s spokesperson added: “As with many things in life – from tweaks to diet, to being more environmentally friendly, little lifestyle changes can go a long way.
“Swapping from a spray deodorant to a roll-on is a great example of how to reduce indoor air pollutants, in a small way.
“But larger systemic change, like switching from internal combustion car engines to an electric future, is going to take longer to implement.”
1. Fossil fuels (e.g. oil, natural gas)
2. Personal transport (e.g. cars, trains, planes)
3. Manufacturing processes
4. Cities
5. Single use plastics
6. Transport of goods
7. Aerosols and CFCs
8. E-waste (e.g. batteries, laptops, phones, hard drives
9. Natural processes (e.g. volcanic activity)
10. Agriculture – animals