Benefits of Ventilation for Health and Risk of Air Pollution at Home

The benefits of good ventilation not only make the home feel more comfortable, but also make the occupants healthier. Houses that do not have ventilation ducts can increase the risk of respiratory infections and the spread of diseases suffered by residents of the house. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that poor air quality in the home is thought to be one of the main causes of the increasing spread of infectious diseases and deaths in developing countries. Children and housewives are most at risk. Therefore, good ventilation can be one solution to this often unconscious and neglected condition.

Know the Benefits of Good Ventilation for Health

In general, the function of ventilation is to flow air from outside into the room and vice versa, resulting in a healthy change of air to breathe. Along with the release of air from the inside, ventilation is also a channel for pollution from the house. This air circulation aims to create a low availability of clean air pollution with the aim of maintaining humidity and a comfortable temperature for residents in the building. Good ventilation is an important factor that can have an impact, not only on the productivity and activities of its inhabitants, but also can reduce the spread of respiratory tract infections. There are a number of things to consider when building ventilation:

• The volume and quality of air from outside that can enter through ventilation. Good ventilation can not only drain, but it should be able to filter the air as well.
• Direction of air movement, as much as possible from a clean area to a dirty area.
• Air from outside must be able to enter each room, replacing the dirty air and pollution that occurs in the house.

Generally there are two types of ventilation, natural and mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation usually utilizes the wind that enters through windows, doors, and vents above the door or window. While mechanical ventilation uses a fan that is placed in the room or mounted on the wall to expel and enter the air into the room.

Various Health Risks Due to Air Pollution at Home

Many people do not realize that the source of pollution does not only come from outside, but also from within the home. Examples of indoor pollution include cigarette smoke, bacteria and mold, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, the smell of house cleaners, printer machines, pesticides, and pollution from motorized vehicles parked inside the house. Here are some details that need to be examined to determine the important role of ventilation:

• The stove emits one of the most dangerous gases when inhaled continuously by humans, namely nitrogen dioxide. This gas can cause wheezing, even though the person who breathed it in didn't have asthma.
• When cleaning the house, you can actually worsen the quality of the air in the house if the cleanser used contains harmful and inhaled substances. Some cleaners contain ammonia, chlorine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which then evaporate into the air as gas. This material can also be contained in wall paints.
• Pets that live in the house, especially in the bedroom, can have an impact on air quality in the room. Although you love it very much, their presence may bring air pollutants with you, such as dust mites that can cause allergies. This dust mite can be found on objects at home, such as carpets and pillows.
• Residents who smoke in the house at risk of causing danger, such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer, for passive smokers who live with them. Smoke that is trapped inside a house or building also risks causing sore throats and headaches. Toxic residues in cigarettes can stick to several objects in the house for a long time. For example on pillows, clothing, or carpets.
• Poor air quality risks causing a variety of health problems, such as coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, or shortness of breath. An asthma sufferer may experience an asthma attack. In the long run, poor air quality can cause residents to experience flu that doesn't heal, bronchitis, recurring headaches, and recurring asthma.
• Houses that are too humid cause mold growth, and even in the long run can cause damage to the house.
• WHO states that smoke from burning inside a house, such as a cooking stove, causes at least four million people to die each year. This combustion produces dangerous chemical compounds, such as carbon monoxide, which can reduce the immune system and increase the risk of respiratory diseases, including pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Supporting Factors for Good Ventilation

To minimize the bad risks above, ventilation placement needs to be accompanied by the following steps:

• The window is wide open to free air into the room. But this window also allows pollution from outside to enter the house, such as motor vehicle fumes, factory smoke, and dust from the highway. A better solution is a window with a filter, such as a screen that can drain air in, but can prevent dust from entering the house.
• Turn on the air conditioner to keep the room from getting damp.
• To reduce the risk of harmful gases, choose cleaning agents and paints that say 'do not contain VOC'. The type of cleaner in the form of spray will trigger the release of harmful gases into the air. Therefore, it is better to use liquid or paste products.
• Houses that are too damp are often caused by uncontrolled water flow. Cover places where water leaks, drips, or seeps, such as warehouses, attics, or garages. Check and repair immediately if there is a leaky roof. As far as possible dry clothes outdoors.
• To prevent gas from the stove stuck in the kitchen, turn on the fan or be sure to open the window around the kitchen. Also, service and clean your stove regularly to reduce the risk of dangerous gas production.
• Dust mites usually multiply in humid rooms. Increasing ventilation and turning on the air conditioner can keep the room dry. As much as possible do not need to cover the floor or wall with carpet because of the risk of being a place of life dust mites. Clean the dust on the furniture regularly with a vacuum cleaner and cloth.
• The main step to free the house from a puff of cigarette smoke is to make all residents stop smoking. But if it is not possible, you can at least ask smokers to smoke outside the home.
• Wherever possible, keep kitchen and bathroom vents directly connected to the outside air. These two rooms are the main source of high levels of humidity in the house.

Health indeed starts at home. Check that your place of residence or place of work meets health standards, including good ventilation standards. If you are looking for a new place to live, be sure to check the feasibility of the airways to better ensure a healthy living environment for the family.