According to a 2019 worldwide survey, it was discovered that out of the 30 most polluted cities worldwide, 21 cities were in India. This report makes us question how bad the AQI in our major cities and states is. Considering the average AQI of Indian metropolitan cities, which is almost 130 or above points out the fact that air quality in India falls under the POOR level.
Shocking Facts You Must Know about bad AQI
Air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of 2 million Indians every year.
At least 140 million people in India breathe air which is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit.
Air pollution is India’s second-largest public health risk after malnutrition.
Air pollution can reduce the life expectancy of Indians by nine years, says a report by a US research group.
The economic loss due to lost output from premature deaths and morbidity from air pollution was 1.4% of the GDP in India in 2019, equivalent to INR 260,000 crores (US$ 36.8 billion).
Did You Know?
Indoor air quality or AQI is even worse than outdoor AQI. Indoor air pollutant concentrations are 3-100 times higher than outdoor air. It has a direct impact on our health and well-being as a majority of people spend their time indoors. This can be because of many reasons which are:
The use of household products like paint, room fresheners, perfumes, Aerosol sprays, etc. consists of toxic VOCs. This is one of the most common reasons for the bad indoor AQI.
The cooking and heating of gas by using kerosene, oil, or wood sources releases nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, and other harmful chemicals which yet again gives way to bad indoor AQI.
Furniture uses adhesive containing formaldehyde which irritates skin, eyes, nose, and throat and affects the indoor AQI.
The usage of incense sticks is very common in Indian households. However, burning of incense sticks increases the concentration of CO and NO in the air which contributes to indoor air pollution.
Houses located in industrial areas face a lack of air conditioning and humidity due to which there is no proper air ventilation. This creates a very uneasy and stuffy environment.
"But say goodbye to Indoor air pollution."
Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones from Indoor air pollution, especially for people living in metropolitan and industrialized cities:
Clean Home = Healthy Home A clean house may be a healthier house because good indoor hygiene can greatly cut down on dust and animal dander. So, make sure to keep your house clean.
Let the fresh air in Even in the cold months, open windows from time to time to allow fresh air to move into the house. Ventilation is very important to attain a good indoor AQI so make sure to let the fresh air in.
Invest in an air purifier If you're allergic to indoor allergens and can't control the source of the problem — for example, you're unwilling to give up your family pet — it may help to use an air purifier. uBreathe is one such air purifier for individuals with allergies or asthma, uBreathe air purifiers help reduce the presence of allergens and irritants in the air, potentially alleviating symptoms and improving breathing. Not only that, but uBreathe ensures sustainability and comes with a plant that makes it stand out.
Reduce dampness Dampness in indoor spaces can lead to many health hazards, including mold growth. Dampness and high humidity may also cause VOCs to leach into your air.
Use indoor plants Plants that are considered more effective at keeping indoor air clean are bamboo plants, spider plants, banana plants, etc.
To know more about the uBreathe air purifier, visit our website today at www.ubreathe.in
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