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.

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?

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.

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

 

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