The in and out of Air pollution

Did you know? You will breathe in approximately 10,000 liters of air today, and every day!

Winter is the season where our country sees an increase in air pollution as more people light fires to keep themselves warm, leading to an increased amount of smoke, which poses a threat to the environment..Particularly in Johannesburg winter months between June to September is engulfed in a brown haze of pollution,  keeping the particulates and nitrous oxides that are the main components of the haze hovering low in the sky. The pollutants come from a variety of sources - coal fires, vehicle exhausts, veld fires, dust and industry.

So why does this happen?

Quoted from a senior air quality researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), said weather conditions and the change of seasons had a definite role in the increased levels of pollution and dust. "Stagnant air episodes occur primarily in winter, when what is termed 'inversion conditions' occur. Hot air rises and cool air sinks, but under inversion conditions, usually during night time in winter months, the air near to the Earth's surface is colder than the air above it, preventing mixing and therefore pollutants emitted at the Earth's surface become trapped and concentrations build up. "
"Once the sun warms up the Earth's surface in the morning, the air near the Earth's surface warms up, and mixing and diffusion of pollutants can again occur and the pollutant layer is removed."


But you are thinking ...well, we are mostly indoors in winter?? Air pollution is present both indoors and outdoors!  Infact almost 90% of our time is spent indoors, and therefore the quality of air in our homes and places of work should be just as important to us all.

Here are some simple steps that you can take to quickly reduce indoor air pollution:

Look at the potential sources of indoor air pollution and reduce or remove them. This could be a contaminated carpet, or a simple filter change on the air-conditioning and filtration unit.

Increase the amount of outdoor natural air coming indoors, by opening windows, doors and vents on air-conditioning units.

Invest in air purifier/scruber. There are units to fit every budget with small units that will sit quietly on your desk to larger units that will purifier the air in an entire home.

Do not let anyone smoke indoors.

Replace the old filters on ventilation, heating and air-conditioning units

Actively remove excessive moisture from the air, which in turn will prevent the formation of mold

Should you be burning fires for heat, use only hard woods and stack the wood loosely to promote air circulation to prevent smouldering & smoke. A properly burning fireplace is hotter, produces less smoke and is more efficient. This means more warmth for less money and less impact to your health.!

For a bit of good news..bringing a bit of nature indoors with houseplants is an excellent idea and can help make you feel a bit more cheery and enhance your indoor air quality!

Here’s are a few from the top 10 anti-pollutant plants rated best by The New Ecologist.com. of which I know they are common to the South African gardener!

1. English Ivy
2. Parlor Ivy
3. African Violets
4. Christmas Cactus
5. Peace Lily

Some indigenous options high on the VOC Filtration Efficiency(Volatile Organic Compounds) often seen in office buildings:

    1. Dracaena Alchemy
    2. Sansevieria Hahnii
    3.Sansevieria Trifasciata (Mother in Law Tongue)
    4.Aloe Bainesii Tip
    5. Sansevieria Moon Shine