DR. MICHAEL MOSLEY: More plants, fewer scented candles… and vacuum often to reduce air pollution in your home!

When it’s bitterly cold outside, the temptation is to take shelter at home, shut out drafts and do everything possible to prevent that expensive heat from escaping.

But this means that indoor air pollution is particularly bad at this time of year; more than three times worse than outdoor air pollution, according to a 2019 study by the UK’s Clean Air Day air pollution campaign.

One of the leading sources of indoor air pollution is VOCs, volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that leach from cleaning products, furniture and paint.

They linger in the air and we breathe them in – this can lead to headaches and irritation of our eyes, nose and throat.

If your home is poorly ventilated, there is also the risk of mold, which releases spores into the air that can cause respiratory infections, allergies and asthma.

And if you have pets, poor ventilation puts you at risk for pet dander, which can also cause allergic reactions (more on this later). The worst culprit, however, is interior fires.

A friend who has a wood-burning stove in her living room told me that buying one was the best thing she had ever done.

I didn’t have the heart to explain that even a modern wood-burning stove emits enormous amounts of tiny carbon and tar particles called PM (particulate matter), which are so small that they end up in our lungs, where they cause inflammation, and in our brains end up. they have been linked to an increased risk of dementia.

According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, wood-burning stoves produce more of this dangerous form of air pollution than all UK road traffic combined.

Now a new study, carried out by Manchester University and Imperial College London, will investigate how bad PM is compared to other forms of indoor air pollution.

Researchers have recruited thirteen brave volunteers, who will be monitored for an hour in a small, enclosed laboratory while breathing in a different air pollutant each time.

This includes the exhaust fumes from a diesel engine, wood smoke, fumes from cleaning products and the fumes released when frying chops (frying produces a lot of particulate matter).

Although only thirteen people are participating in this experiment, it is the largest and most ambitious of its kind ever undertaken.

The researchers are interested in the impact air pollution has on the brain, so volunteers will take cognitive tests before and after; they will also have regular blood tests to check for signs of brain cell damage.

I sympathize with the volunteers; a few years ago I did something similar, although in my case the researchers were interested in the impact of outdoor air pollution on my heart.

They put me in a room while the diesel engine of a truck pumped fumes into the room for an hour.

Breathing those fumes immediately caused my blood pressure to skyrocket, and the scientists told me that something in the diesel (presumably PM) was stiffening my arteries and thickening my blood.

As my blood pressure returned to normal after two hours, I had a shocking insight into what invisible pollution can do.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce your own exposure to indoor air pollution.

OPEN WINDOWS – if not near a busy road

Opening windows to let in fresh air is generally a good idea, but if you live within a mile of a busy road, opening a window can actually be counterproductive, according to the Building Engineering Services Association.

So it’s wise to check websites that give you information about local pollution levels – and avoid opening windows if you live near a busy road, especially in winter, when air pollution from traffic is often captured at ground level by cold air.

TURN ON THE EXHAUST FANS DURING COOKING

If you have a range hood or range hood, use it when cooking, regardless of what you are cooking and for how long. They are a more effective way to get rid of cooking fumes than opening a window.

Stay away from air fresheners

It’s a good idea to avoid using synthetic air fresheners and scented candles because they release high levels of VOCs, which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat and are especially bad for people with asthma.

Whenever possible, try to find chemical-free products as these produce fewer VOCs.

INVEST IN A DEHUMIDIFIER

Damp and mold are bad for your lungs, and are common at this time of year due to condensation and a lack of ventilation.

If you get a lot of moisture, invest in a dehumidifier to reduce humidity, which encourages mold growth.

Clean regularly

CARPETS can trap dust and, if you have pets, a lot of pet dander – tiny spots on the skin that come off from cats and dogs and can cause allergies.

The best way to keep levels low is to vacuum and wash your pet regularly.

Buy house plants

There is some evidence that plant leaves can absorb indoor air pollution, while soil microbes also break down pollutants. Dr. Tijana Blanusa, plant scientist at the University of Reading, advises going for hardy specimens, such as the snake plant, the spider plant or the peace lily.

And finally: if you do have a wood stove or fireplace, it is best to use it sparingly.

You can also invest in smokeless fuel, which emits up to 75 percent less particulate matter.