New research from the University of Birmingham suggests the air inside our homes may be more polluted than the air outside. Scientists have monitored pollution levels in suburban houses and found that everyday activities like cooking and lighting candles can contribute to poor indoor air quality.
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00:00Many people assume that air pollution is mainly an outdoor problem but researchers in Birmingham have found high levels of pollution inside ordinary homes.
00:12Scientists placed pollution monitors in three suburban houses to track tiny airborne particles usually linked to traffic emissions.
00:21The results showed that in some cases indoor air was more polluted than the air outside, with one home exceeding World Health Organization safety guidelines on nine separate days.
00:32Experts say pollution sources include dust, cooking and scented candles.
00:38One home recorded lower pollution levels overall, where occupants regularly used extractor fans while cooking and opened windows during the day.
00:47Researchers have also explored the impact of this pollution on brain function, finding that it can affect concentration and the ability to carry out tasks.