{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-js","path":"/festive-season-air-pollution-and-its-effect-on-indoor-air-quality/","webpackCompilationHash":"fd8ad766c6698fc7a646","result":{"data":{"site":{"siteMetadata":{"title":"","author":"ActiveBuildings"}},"markdownRemark":{"id":"ec222078-2d61-5653-aacb-e9a43aca5505","excerpt":"The last few months of the year bring celebrations and festivities to the streets and to households with Diwali, the wedding season and an array of festivals…","html":"

The last few months of the year bring celebrations and festivities to the streets and to households with Diwali, the wedding season and an array of festivals that take the country by storm. While they bring happiness, they also are a direct cause of air pollution with a sudden increase in heat, smoke, and other particulate matter from the fireworks, flames, and lights.

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For years now, a number of urban citizens have not only boycotted these health hazards but have also protested their use due to the noise pollution, air pollution, littering and general risk to safety. While the reasons are incredibly strong, a few fail to see the impact of these pollutants because it is believed to stop outside the confines of our four walls. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

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Pollution levels in the capital shot up after the fireworks began, as most of the air quality monitoring stations in New Delhi recorded their AQI in “very low” or beyond. The colder weather cause pollutants to remain trapped at lower altitudes, creating layers of “smog” over most urban areas. And while you would love to believe that you’re safe from the impact of poor air once you’re indoors, the reality is quite the opposite. Understanding the effect of outdoor air pollution on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the first step in our battle against its effects on our health, including respiratory conditions, heart disease, and even cancer.

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The most common means for outdoor air to pollute indoor air is through open windows and doors, which is very difficult to completely control. Cracks in walls, doors, and windows could also be another route of entry and the ventilation system in the building will bring pollutants along with fresh air. You spend more than 80% of your day indoors and even more so when the air outside is polluted. During the festive season, the humidity due to the number of people, the heat from open flames and other activities, and other deterrents to air quality are already present indoors, in addition to those which come from the ever-increasing pollution outside.

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While air pollution is subject to heat, wind, and other factors that act as natural filters, the quality indoors is can only be controlled by you. And that can work in your favor. With ActiveBuildings’ air quality sensors, you can not only monitor and analyze your current IAQ but also improve it with personalized solutions or optimize your current quality control systems using the data gathered to make sure you’re not taken by surprise this festive season.

","frontmatter":{"title":"Festive Season Air Pollution and its Effect on Indoor Air Quality","date":"November 12, 2019"}}},"pageContext":{"isCreatedByStatefulCreatePages":false,"slug":"/festive-season-air-pollution-and-its-effect-on-indoor-air-quality/","previous":{"fields":{"slug":"/what-is-the-cost-of-india’s-air-pollution/"},"frontmatter":{"title":"What does the average Indian lose because of bad air quality?"}},"next":{"fields":{"slug":"/are-air-conditioners-a-safer-alternative/"},"frontmatter":{"title":"Are Air Conditioners a safer alternative?"}}}}}