A "Hidden Danger" in the Home That Could Be Harmful to Your Health

A doctor revealed that opening the windows of the house for at least 10 to 15 minutes daily can protect you from harmful indoor pollution.

Despite the focus on outdoor pollution and car emissions, Dr Chris Etheridge warns that we often ignore the air quality in our homes.

Etheridge highlights carpets, cleaning products, cooking and heating, as well as humidity and laundry, as major contributors to poor air quality.

“We can’t see them, they’re microscopic, but they could be gases, dust or dirt,” he told New Idea magazine. “This includes mould, pollution from central heating and gas stoves, chemicals in cleaning products and even pets.”

Carpets are a breeding ground for harmful particles, such as dust mites, mold and pet hair, which can trigger asthma and allergies, Etheridge points out.

It is recommended to use a vacuum cleaner with a filter to combat this.

Additionally, while cooking and heating your home is essential, you should use an exhaust fan or keep windows open to maintain air quality.

“Very fine pollution particles can enter your bloodstream and affect your vital organs,” warns Max Weisberg, an expert in airborne allergens.

He also highlights humidity and mold as causes of poor air quality, saying, “They release fungi and germs, which are harmful to the respiratory system.”

Max also warns that damp clothes can lead to mold spores.

Possible symptoms of indoor contamination include: sneezing, wheezing or itchy throat, and eye irritation.