8 ways to get clean air without chemicals
Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the quality of the air you breathe can have a big impact on your health. Studies have tied poor outdoor air quality to lung cancer, strokes and heart disease. In fact, air pollution causes 3.3 million deaths worldwide each year.
Most air “fresheners” that are on the market today contain an array of toxic chemicals, most notably including phthalates. Phthalates have been directly linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Not only that, but plug-in type fresheners coat your nasal passages with an oil film called methoxychlor, which will kill the nerves in your nose over time, inhibiting your ability to smell.
A team of researchers led by the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom published a study on air pollution in Delhi, also known as ‘the most polluted city in the world’. According to the study, New Delhi suffers from a “toxic blend of geography, growth, poor energy sources and unfavourable weather which boosts dangerously high levels of air pollution”.
Some tips on improving your indoor air quality without the use of chemicals.
Increase Ventilation
This advice may seem simple at first, but there is more to improving the ventilation in your home or office than just opening a window. Outdoor air may still contain pollution that you don’t want in your living spaces. Instead, consider installing trickle vents to purify and cycle the air you breathe indoors.
Beeswax Candles
If you like to burn candles for natural light, avoid paraffin candles which release petroleum byproducts into the air. Instead, opt for beeswax candles. Beeswax burns clean and offers the added benefit of ionizing air to neutralize toxic compounds and other contaminants.
Get a Himalayan Salt Lamp
These popular lamps emit an amber light that not only gives your home a warm atmosphere but they purify the air too. Natural crystal salt lamps as they are called as well emit negative ions that fight against positively charged particles that cause you to feel sluggish and stuffy. The lit salt crystals clear your home’s air naturally of allergens like pet dander, smoke, pollens, and other air pollutants.They also fight odors. Popular among asthma and sinusitus sufferers, as well as many others.
Activated Charcoal
Use activated charcoal as a natural air purifier. A fantastic way to purify indoor air is with activated charcoal, also referred to as active carbon. It’s odourless, highly-absorptive and works wonders with eliminating toxins from the air. Another fantastic way to purify air at home naturally is bamboo charcoal.
Essential Oils
In the presence of essential oils like cinnamon, oregano, rosemary, thyme, grapefruit lemon, clove, tea tree – viruses, fungi, bacteria and even mold cannot survive. Studies from Weber State University show that Thieves Oil has a 99.96% kill rate against airborne bacteria. It is an antiseptic blend of pure essential oils including pine needle, cinnamon, thyme, eucalyptus, lemon and grapefruit which helps keep the home free from germs and purifies the air. You can add it to soaps and detergents to breathe fresher, cleaner air.
Spruce up your décor with houseplants.
Having indoor houseplants can help improve indoor air quality, according to a study published by the American Society for Horticultural Science. For example, spider plants are effective at reducing benzene,
formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene.
Use Vinegar
To neutralize odours in the air or on upholstery, mix three parts white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle and spray onto the surface or directly into the air. The vinegar neutralizes the odours naturally. (And, don’t worry — that vinegary smell will fade away.)
Avoid Artificial Air Cleansers
Avoid using anything artificial to cleanse the air. Store-bought “air-fresheners” generally just mask underlying odours rather than cleansing them, and pollute the air with toxic chemicals in the process.
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