Dr Amir said: “Cleaning products, like furniture polish, air freshener, carpet cleaner, oven cleaner, as well as aerosols, like deodorant and hairspray, contain something called volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which when breathed in can irritate our airways, cause nausea and damage our nerves and other organs.”
The United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found that the levels of these common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside homes than outside.
Furthermore, this data was the same regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.
Dr Amir added: “I know it’s impossible to avoid all of these things in our homes but by minimising their use, having lots of indoor plants, and opening windows, allowing for good ventilation, you can improve your indoor air quality.”
