text: When you live in Dhaka, especially in a small apartment, it is very likely that your home does not have adequate air flow as it is enclosed on all sides with other building structures. A home with poor air quality may not only pose to be an uncomfortable living space but also prove to be harmful to your health and exaggerate conditions like asthma, allergy and so on. On the other hand, an apartment with good air flow can give you comfortable interiors as well as healthy living atmosphere.
  The significance of improved indoor air quality
  According to studies, the air quality in your home may be more polluted than the air quality outdoors. This is because pollutants, dust, germs, etc. get trapped within the apartment, deteriorating the indoor air quality. Lack of air flow exacerbates the condition and leads you to suffer from health related problems, such as coughing, sneezing, allergies, headaches and so on. The bad news is that you cannot improve air quality outdoors and the good news is that you can improve the air quality inside your home.
  Improve air circulation
  To improve air circulation in your apartment, one of the basic things you can do is keep the windows and doors open daily for some time. Use ceiling fans or strategically placed table fans near windows to achieve cross ventilation. This ensures your apartment is well-ventilated, dehumidifies the air and reduces trapped pollutants, thereby improving air quality in your home.
  Keep your kitchen and bathroom dry to avoid mold growth
  Wet places such as sink areas and bathrooms provide the optimum environment for growth of mold and fungi which can pose great health risks. To avoid these from contaminating the air, keep those areas clean and dry. For example, check and fix any leaky faucets, dry off the countertops after cleaning with disinfectant and keep your bathroom floors dry after a shower.
  Install exhaust fans and use them at appropriate times
  For apartments with poor air flow, it is essential that you have installed exhaust fans in suitable locations in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. These two are usually the most humid areas in your apartment. The exhaust fan works by drawing in outside air and prevents build-up of humidity as well as eliminates pollutants from the air, thereby by keeping the air healthy, odor-free and clean.
  Schedule regular air conditioner maintenance
  If you have an air conditioner in your home, you need to maintain the unit properly. Make sure you regularly clean the filters in your air conditioner as these accumulate dust and dirt over a period and release them into the air, polluting the environment in your home. As a general practice, you should clean the air conditioner filters every two week. However, as we live in Dhaka city, which is a highly polluted city, it is best to clean the filters on a more regular basis.
  Avoid use of High Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  These are harmful chemicals that are widely used in many household products such as paint, fabrics, cleaning chemicals, cosmetics and so on. When you purchase a product, make sure it reads low-VOC or invest in natural alternatives as high-VOC emissions can cause various health related problems such as respiratory problems, lung damage, allergic reactions, headaches and so on.
  Although you may not be able to eliminate all the pollutants and harmful substances in your home, with some simple modifications and changes like ensuring proper ventilation, cleaning, dusting, avoiding harmful chemicals, you can significantly improve the air quality in your home.