Lifestyle

Does Royale Atmos by Asian Paints stop Indoor air pollution?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 17, 2017 26

I love spending time at home. For me, it’s important to have a clean and fresh home. A few days back while getting a bookshelf painted, I made sure they took it to the shop, to get it done. Extra expenses, but these paints are full of nasty chemicals called VOC which spread all through the home. It is very harmful to children and adults too. I started researching VOCs from the time I was pregnant. That’s when women start having worries about the environment, air quality and the world in general. Our feeling of mortality and the world we are leaving for our child. India ranking among the top 10, in having most polluted indoor air didn’t make me feel happy.

I thought only burning wood and other biomass caused poor indoor air quality. The Narendra Modi government has subsidized LPG gas and has helped millions switch to healthier cooking gas options.But what about VOCs?That’s present even in urban and affluent homes. In fact, the indoor air may have five times more such pollutants than outdoor air.

But what exactly are these VOCs?

Formaldehyde, benzene, toluene(VOCs) are VOCs.Some of these VOCs are suspected carcinogens.VOCs or volatile organic compounds are emitted by a lot of products used in homes.

They include:

Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
Wood preservatives
Aerosol sprays
Cleansers and disinfectants
Moth repellents and air fresheners
Stored fuels and automotive products
Hobby supplies
Dry-cleaned clothing
Pesticide

VOCs, evaporate into the air when you use these and even when they are stored.In fact, pressed wood furniture can emit VOCs several years after they are made. But why are VOCs bad?

What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

VOCs have a wide range of strange effects on your body. They can irritate eyes, nose, and throat. They may cause headaches and make you nauseous. Long-term exposure can damage liver, kidneys, and are cancer causing too!

Unfortunately, in India, emission standards for VOCs are not mentioned. Ask me why? The government forgot to make it mandatory. That’s why you end up inhaling VOC s in various amounts from many unknown sources. None of which are documented openly.

These are scary thoughts but you can still do a lot to make your room air fresh and clean.

7 Things I will do to make my new home air clean and fresh

1)I am getting my home painted with a lead-free eco-friendly paint option. God’s were listening because while before only a few brands offered this option now there are at least 3 well-known brands having an option of lead-free paint. But what has made me really happy is the new Asian paints Royale Atmos. The company claims the wall paint is not only lead-free but has an activated carbon mechanism to actively remove VOCs from room air. How effective is it?That I will need to find out.

Photo by Kimberly Niesz – More bedroom photos

How cool is that? I was very happy to hear this. Now my plan is to save enough money to be able to afford it for my new home. With innovations like this, I am excited.

2)I plan to keep a cute open container of baking powder in all the wet areas. This helps to decrease damp and mold. Mold can also make the room air of poor quality. It causes allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic tendencies. Also, one wall getting damp can spread throughout the home. Mold problems are very difficult to get rid off. Prevention will definitely help.

3)I have also planned Vertical indoor gardens for my balcony, living room and maybe the guest room. That again will depend on the total budget.I can start small, right?

Photo by Architology – More dining room photos

The places where I can’t have a vertical garden I will have potted plants with low water need.

How many plants per person is adequate to give fresh air?

1 to 3 per 100 square feet is adequate.NASA very helpfully prepared a list of indoor plants which are efficient at improving indoor air quality and produce oxygen even in low light conditions indoors.

Photo by Kuth / Ranieri Architects – Search entryway design ideas

4)I will only use homemade pesticides for my plants. That’s what I do even now.

5)I plan to check the emission standards of my electronic appliances and act accordingly.

6)Buy sustainable eco-friendly furniture. Pressed wood has a very high quantity of VOC.So I am planning on using reclaimed wood or bamboo.I already have several wrought iron and reclaimed wood pieces. Definitely no leather sofas. There goes, my dream recliner! But it’s for good health. Right?

7)I am also going to avoid dry cleaning as far as possible. The fluid used for dry cleaning emits the VOCs for a very long time.

This is my 7 step plan of action for my new home. One to four I have decided, five is going to be challenging, six fun researching. Tell me in the comments below how you keep your room air fresh and clean.

Disclaimer: Writing this for an Indiblogger campaign with Asian paints.#CleanAirBeautifulHomes after loving the idea of Royale atmos.

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Posts in this series

Plastic pollution population:Hard truths

Delhi pollution

Indoor air pollution

Indoor air

Greening the planet earth

Car air purifier: Why I want it

Lead paint and pollution

Sound pollution

Hearing and Headphones

Say no to plastic water bottles

noise-induced hearing loss

Environmental pollution awareness and strict action

Environment, Health, Home health, Lifestyle

#MondayMommyMoments 37:Online shopping for kids clothing

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 11, 2017 8

Monday Mommy Moments last week made me realize few moms like homework.This dislike homework can be contagious.Definitely avoid telling your child, about how much you hated homework.That can make doing the assignment even more difficult .

Super #MondayMommyMoments tips for getting homework done are

Do it on time.
Do it regularly.
Make it fun and reward it
Checklists and goals for older kids.
Don’t stress it!

This week we have a fun topic.Tell us about your favorite clothing websites and brands online.Link up and share the joy.The festivals are coming and we are ready to shop.Don’t forget to read my post on the topic in the linky.

[bctt tweet=”Homework can be fun only if you make it fun #MondayMommyMoments” username=”misra_amrita”]

MondayMommyMoments prompt 37

Share your favorite online websites to shop for kids clothes!

Share your favourite online websites to shop for kids clothing:MondayMommyMoments 37 prompt — Share your favorite online websites to shop for kids clothing: MondayMommyMoments 37 prompt

Winner :

This week Anubhuti wrote about her tips for getting homework done as a teacher, which you must read here.

Congratulations Anubhuti!

[bctt tweet=”Congratulations @criesnlaughter for winning #MondayMommyMoments” username=”misra_amrita”]

#MondayMommyMoments 37 Featured Mom Anubhuti

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Philips GoPure Airmax 100 car air purifier – For a healthy drive

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 4, 2017 68

Clean air is a basic right. We shouldn’t need to fight for it. Right? Unfortunately, the more polluted air you breathe in, the more your brain and your vital systems slow down. And the problem that I see is that people just are not aware of how bad air pollution currently is.

Some Air pollution facts you should know

A 2013 study on non-smokers found Indians have 30% poorer lung function when compared to Europeans.
Our Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Air Quality Index (AQI), for monitoring the quality of air in major urban centers across the country in 2015. In this, eight pollutants are measured: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, ammonia and lead.(2)
The high quantity of pollutants is due to adulterated fuel. Higher the percentage of adulteration more is the emission of poisonous gases which are also known carcinogens.
These carcinogens have a big role in cardiovascular (heart) and Cerebrovascular (brain) health and result in over 800,000 premature deaths every year. This also includes breathing disorders which can result in irreversible lung diseases and poorer quality of life.

Increased population and vehicular congestion have made matters worse.
Traffic jams make vehicles move at a snail’s pace. The lower speed makes the fuel inefficiently utilized that is another important cause of increased pollutants. When speed is 5 -20 kilometers per hour, emissions are 4 to 8 times more than when it was 55 to 70 kilometers per hour.(3)

PHILIPS CAR AIR PURIFIER — Pollution in cities

The pictures are scary and make me very worried. It’s important you know the quality of outdoor air in your locality before you let sensitive children and sick adults go out. Even particular times of day are prone for greater air pollution.

Something you may not realize is that even while you travel and the AC is on, the air inside the car is still not clean. It has the particulate matter from the environment and the Volatile organic carbons (VOCs) emitted by the interiors of the car. A car air purifier will help clean the air of both these harmful elements.

Car Air purifiers will help make the air breathable in cities while traveling. While researching car air purifiers, I found the Philips Go pure Compact Airmax 100. It provides clean and healthy air in your car when you travel as wherever you go, you breathe pure. It not only removes fine particulate matter but also Volatile organic carbons (VOCs) emitted by the interiors of the car. The product removes allergens, smoke, bacteria, viruses, and unpleasant odors from the car in just 13 minutes!

Why I recommend the Philips Go Pure Compact Airmax 100 as a Doctor and as a mother.

• It can effectively remove fine particles and toxic gases like VOCs.
• It has a Clean Air Delivery Rate of 11.5m3/hour
• It has a filter replacement indicator.
• Certified by Airmid for Unique Philips Select Filter technology and cleans the air by adsorption and oxidation.
• It’s light and easy to install. Just place it on the dashboard, headrest, under seats or rear deck.

I personally found the product helpful as I am allergic to smoke and fumes. I also try to avoid my daughter’s exposure to polluted air.

It’s a great way to keep the car air clean, especially for people like me with allergies or who have breathing difficulty due to asthma. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the infirm will all be helped with products as amazing and unique Philips Go Pure Compact Airmax 100 in the car. For more details, visit here.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post but the opinions and experience are mine and are meant to empower you to make an informed choice. Kindly make all purchase decisions after evaluating your individual requirements.Read my full disclaimer.

Reference:

1) “Indians have 30% weaker lungs than Europeans”. Times of India. Sep 2, 2013.

2)http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/pollution/choking-india-gets-air-quality-index/articleshow/46830411.cms

3)Science & Engg. 55 (2): 127–142.
Matthew Barth; Kanok Boriboonsomsin (November 2009). “Real-World CO2 Impacts of Traffic Congestion”. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2058: 163–171. doi:10.3141/2058-20. Archived from the original on 2016-05-30

4)Car Air purifier India: Why I want it

Linking up with #Bloggers Pit Stop

Beauty is More than Skin Deep with Ayurveda at VLCC

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on September 2, 2017 15

Beauty is more than skin deep. That’s why Indian Ayurvedic beauty treatments have world-wide a claim. But with mushrooming options for Ayurvedic beauty treatments, whom can you trust?

I believe in going back to nature to maintain health and beauty, even when I trust our modern medicine for serious health issues. Ayurveda is ancient. But its roots are deep and holds true even today.

What does Ayurveda use?

Herbs, oils, massages, yoga and spiritual, emotional well-being all come together to give your mind body spirit a center.The word Ayurveda means The Knowledge of life.

What is it based on?

The effect of the five great elements.These elements are

air, fire, water, earth, and ether.These elements make up the universe and the human body is influenced by them.

These five elements influence the three Doshas of your body.They are Vata Pitta and Kapha.In Ayurveda, it is believed that complete health is possible when there is a balance between all three doshas.If any of these

One of the three doshas dominates your body type.Imbalance of one type of dosha may cause health issues.Ayurvedic health and yoga all are personalized according to the dosha type of the person.Treatments at VLCC are perfect because your dosha type dictates what you need for complete well-being.

Ayurvedic treatments offered at VLCC

UDVARTANAM

The whole body is massaged with a medicated powder made from a fragrant mixture of beautiful herbs. This massage moisturizes and tones up the skin, reduces the appearance of cellulite, helps improve digestion, and alleviates sluggishness. It works in improving the p lymphatic system and helps to drain the lymph.

How will this help you?

Kapha dosh is balanced.It melts down the Medo Dhatu i.e. the fat.Helps reduce cellulite.

Improved skin Health.The skin massage improves blood supply and enhanced nutrition to the local skin.This enhances the youthful glow and better skin appearance.

SHIRODHARA

This is rejuvenating and curative therapy eliminating disease and improves vitality.

What does it involve?

First, it’s a wonderful massage and stimulation of the Marma points of the head, neck, shoulders, and feet.This is followed by a gentle, continuous, warm stream of Ayurvedic oil that is poured on and across the forehead, while you relax.

How does it help?

Shirodhara quietens and calms the mind, releases stress and produces a sense of deep wellbeing. It reduces anxiety, anger, chronic headaches, migraine, hypertension, insomnia and hair problems.

ABHYANGAM

This is another unique program.Here the prescribed oil is liberally applied using soft and gentle strokes.This is followed by a steam bath (swedanam). This involves a complete body massage enhancing the ability of nutrients to reach starved cells and in the removal of stagnant waste. Warm Herbal oils are made into a nourishing potion to revitalize the tissues and to allow the removal of toxins from the body.

Abhyanga, characterized by long strokes, flowing movements and Marma point therapy, heightens awareness.

How does it help?

This treatment heals deeply balancing body, mind, and spirit to harmonize with each other.It heals internally.

Abhyangam improves appetite, helps improve sleep, reduces stress levels and builds the immunity.It also improves blood circulation, delays aging and reduces Vata.

MUKHLEPAM

Mukhlepam (Ayurvedic facial)makes your face glow.It has anti aging benefits and makes the facial skin youthful. The procedure also removes tan.

BASTIS for localized aches and pains.

Kati Basti- Lower Back pain, this treatment has a relaxing effect on the lower back and helps relieve back pain and spinal disorders.
Griva Basti- Pain in cervical area
Janu Basti- Pain in the knee. The treatment reduces the stiffness and inflammation on and around the knees and thus reducing pain. It also strengthens the knee joints by improving blood circulation.
Manibandh Basti- Pain in the wrist
Netra Basti: General ocular health. This treatment is ideal for those suffering from computer vision syndrome and diabetes related eye problems.

KAIVALYAM

This therapy involves natural, gentle exfoliation using kitchen herbs like ginger, sesame, cardamom, clove and other powders mixed with red rice.This is followed by applying a herbal pack with licorice over the entire body. Licorice is traditionally used as an anti-tan herb which also helps in the removal of pigmentation.

NAVRAKIZHI

This is a unique therapy using small cloth boluses or potlis .The potlis contain an exotic a mixture of red rice and milk cooked together with fresh herbs.The potlis are rubbed gently over the skin to infuse the goodness of the mixture.It’s like food for your skin.

How does it help?

This is an invigorating therapy and improves generalized weakness and enhances energy. The treatment is also a favorite as an herbal body polish, especially for brides-to-be and reduces water retention.

ELAKIZHI

In this herbal poultices (bundles) are made with fresh leaves and herbs.These poultices are then gently warmed in medicated oils.The herbal poultices are then used to massage the entire body, neck, shoulders, hands, and back, shifting the person side to side. The treatment helps significantly reduce chronic pain especially for joint pains, back ache, cervical pains.It also helps in weight loss and detoxification.

How does it help you?

The treatment reduces chronic pain especially for joint pains, back ache, cervical pains.It can improve your quality of life significantly. It also helps in weight loss and detoxification.

SAYUJYAM

This is the signature VLCC Ayurvedic therapy involves

Scrubbing the body with tamarind, red rice, and herbs.,
This is followed by a tamarind and yogurt pack.
The entire body is then covered with banana and/or other herbal leaves to make a body wrap.

Tamarind contains natural AHAs and antioxidants. This helps in the removal of tan. Similarly, yogurt helps in clearing up the skin. The synergistic effect helps in brightening up your skin.

Don’t forget to visit VLCC to make an appointment for your next wellness Ayurvedic spa.

Disclaimer: I am not an Ayurveda consultant This is a sponsored post written in association with VLCC about the lifestyle service they provide.Read my full disclaimer

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Does Royale Atmos by Asian Paints stop Indoor air pollution?

But what exactly are these VOCs?

What effect do Volatile organic compounds have on your body?

7 Things I will do to make my new home air clean and fresh

How many plants per person is adequate to give fresh air?

Posts in this series

#MondayMommyMoments 37:Online shopping for kids clothing

Super #MondayMommyMoments tips for getting homework done are