A new study by ventilation specialists Zehnder Group UK has found that four in ten (42 percent) people living in the UK are still unaware that air pollution in their homes could be harming their health.

A quarter (24 percent) of people polled say they have always assumed that the air inside their home is safe, with 41 percent disagreeing that outdoor air pollution affects indoor air quality. Yet a whopping 83 percent wish they knew more about air pollution in the home.

The research, which explored people’s attitudes towards air pollution, awareness of air quality both inside and out and assumptions about hidden air pollutants inside, show that while a sixth (14 percent) worry about the air pollution outside of their home, just one in ten (12 percent) feel the same about the air pollution IN their homes - even though it can often be five times worse than the air outside.

Air pollution expert and lead scientist at ARM Environments, Dr Joannah Score, who worked with Zehnder Group UK on the study said: “We typically find that pollutants are up to five times more concentrated in indoor air than outdoor air. While breathing these in on occasion isn’t dangerous for most people, exposure over time can cause major health issues. If left to build up, without effective ventilation, the increased concentration of these pollutants can cause serious problems to human health.”

And the new insights reveal that, even day to day, this is the case - with four in ten people saying they have experienced coughing fits after using certain household products in the home, while a quarter (25 percent) have had headaches, sneezing fits (25 percent), irritated eyes (24 percent) and have been left wheezing (21 percent).

A fifth (20 percent) admit they have also had a dry throat, tickly cough (20 percent) and a runny nose (16 percent).

Worryingly, two thirds (62 percent) didn’t know that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can be caused by bad air quality in the home, while a further 58 percent didn’t realise that chronic bronchitis can be a consequence. Almost half (46 percent) had no idea that inside pollution can cause respiratory infections and asthma (36 percent). 

Commercial Director, Stuart Smith, at Zehnder Group UK said: “We breathe 25,000 times a day and inhale an average of 11,000 litres of air using our lungs, yet don’t stop to consider the cleanliness of the air we breathe at home, work or in places that we socialise. Education is the key here. The more people understand about indoor air quality, the more likely they are to seek better means to ventilate their properties and protect themselves.

“Breathing clean air shouldn’t be a right but a given, and more effort needs to be made to understand levels of ultra-fine pollutants in our air so we can tackle it effectively.”

Despite half of the 2,000 polled admitting that they live in a badly polluted area, 53 percent regularly open the windows to improve the air quality in their home, even though two thirds (62 percent) worry about letting pollution in.

A fifth (22 percent) never open their windows to stop traffic pollution from coming inside.

Four in ten (37 percent) believe that a regular clean improves air quality, while 24 percent say they never think about pollution as long as their home is clean.

The kitchen (45 percent) is viewed as the worst room for air quality in the house, followed by the living room (23 percent), bedroom (22 percent) and bathroom (22 percent).

Traffic (55 percent), climate change (44 percent), weather conditions (33 percent), enhanced cleaning chemicals following Covid-19 (32 percent) and cost of living (19 percent) are seen as the main reasons for worsening air quality.

THE TWENTY HOUSEHOLD ITEMS THAT COULD BE MAKING PEOPLE SICK

1. Your sofa - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
2. New rugs/carpets - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
3. Dry shampoo - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
4. Aftershave - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
5. Perfume - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
6. Pollen from indoor plants - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
7. Paint -VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
8. Aerosol deodorant - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
9. Insect spray - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
10. Air fresheners - VOC causing fine chemicals in the air
11. Pet fur - VOC causing fine chemicals and particulate dust matter in the air
12. Cat litter trays - VOC causing fine chemicals and particulate dust matter in the air
13. Vacuum cleaner - particulate dust matter in the air
14. Wood chipping - particulate dust matter in the air
15. Incense - particulate soot matter in the air
16. Scented candles - particulate soot matter in the air
17. Gas cooking stoves - particulate soot matter in the air
18. Open fireplace - particulate soot matter in the air
19. Mould - carbon dioxide and humidity in the air
20. Human breath - carbon dioxide and humidity in the air