The atmosphere inside the house has a direct and significant impact on the health of the family members. Research, in fact, has even shown that indoor air pollution is more toxic to the body than that found outside! As most people spend most of their time indoors (roughly 90%), involved in their various activities that generate a set of indoor pollutions, it becomes imperative that you take a close look at the importance of ventilation and its significant contribution towards health and comfort.

Indoor pollution can lead to aggravation of asthma, allergy issues, dizziness, headaches and spread of infectious diseases within an enclosed space. Unknown to many, a significant amount of air pollutants are generated from the use of cleaning chemicals and air fresheners, exhaled air, carbon monoxide, pets as well as products of combusted cooking gas.

Condensation is one of the main culprits for the growth of mould and results from lack of proper airflow; this leads to an increase in moisture content resulting in its covering the surface of walls, floors and ceilings, sometimes even resulting in structural damage.

You will be surprised to know that the colourless, odourless radon gas linked to some lung cancer cases can become trapped within your home, increasing over time if there is no proper ventilation.

Most people aren’t aware that common chemicals used for cleaning along with finishings on furnishings release VOCs (volatile organic compounds); these gases build up with time in a home’s atmosphere if there is no proper inflow of fresh air.

By opening windows and doors on a regular basis, you can effectively reduce allergens like cooking smells, pet dander, dust, pollen, etc, from building up. It’s an effective way of reducing symptoms of allergy-sufferers.

High moisture and its resultant increase in damp, mouldy conditions encourage the growth of dust mites, thus posing risks for skin problems like itching and eczema as well as respiratory issues and irritated eyes and noses.

All this makes it essential that you have an uninterrupted inflow of air to provide proper ventilation. Natural ventilation through doors and windows is the best way to introduce fresh air into the home. You can also introduce fresh air through exhaust fans typically found in the kitchens and bathrooms – where they are most needed! You could also create narrow air vents in your walls that will keep your home breathing even in your absence.

Hope this info has gotten you running to open your windows by now….