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Tracking your indoor air quality can help you know when it\u2019s time to open a window or turn on your air purifier.<\/p>\n
Getty Image\/Zooey Liao\/CNET<\/p>\n
Our homes provide shelter to keep us safe, but they can\u2019t protect us from everything \u2014 especially the air we breathe when inside<\/a>. Yet, knowing when your air quality<\/a> is poor can be particularly challenging because it\u2019s something you can\u2019t see, hear or (usually) smell, but it can have a significant impact on your health<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about why air quality can be poor and the health effects it can cause, three CNET wellness and smart home writers began monitoring air quality in different locations across the US. These are the most surprising facts about air quality we learned, and what experts taught us about how to improve the air we breathe.<\/p>\n \t\t\t Our air quality monitors and locations<\/p>\n Aly lives in Reno, Nevada, and has been using the Blueair Classic Pro CP7i air purifier<\/a>, which has sensors to monitor air quality, for the past two months. Tyler resides in Bend, Oregon, and has been testing the Switchbot Meter Pro<\/a>, a simple, affordable air quality monitor<\/a>, for eight months. As for Anna, who lives in Los Angeles and has been monitoring her air quality with the Airthings View Plus<\/a>, Wave Enhance<\/a> and Renew air purifier<\/a> for over two months.<\/p>\n 1. Humidity impacts PM2.5 particles<\/p>\n The Wave Enhance turns red when the air quality is poor.<\/p>\n Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n As someone with frequent sinus issues, Anna often depends on her humidifier<\/a> to relieve congestion and prevent dryness. However, whenever her humidifier turned on, she noticed that her air quality monitor (on both the Wave Enhance and Renew air purifier) would turn red. Upon checking her app, she realized that PM2.5 particles specifically increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhile there is no direct causation between one and the other, PM2.5 particles (like dust or smoke) are often hygroscopic, meaning they absorb water from humid air,\u201d says Joakim Lindh, head of strategic growth at Airthings. \u201cWhen humidity rises, these particles swell up, so a particulate matter monitor may then read them as more numerous or larger, skewing the PM2.5 value upward.\u201d<\/p>\n Lindh adds that it\u2019s also important to note that dust mites can\u2019t survive without humidity from the air. They like moderate temperatures and high humidity, since they can absorb water from the moisture in the air. \u201cThe microscopic creatures can worsen allergies<\/a> and asthma, so making sure that humidity levels are not too high is key to minimizing them and their effects,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n Airthings recommends a humidity range of 40% to 60%, especially in summer, because warm air can absorb more moisture than cool air.<\/p>\n \t\t\t \u00a02. Gas stoves and ovens increase VOCs<\/p>\n Anna has the Wave Plus set up between her kitchen and living room. VOCs quickly increase whenever she turns on her gas stove or oven.\u00a0The EPA states that VOCs are human-made chemicals<\/a> emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, such as paints, cleaning supplies, building materials and furniture.<\/p>\n When asked why this happens, Lindh says, \u201cGas cooking uses the process of combustion, where natural gas is burned off, which creates heat. When this combustion occurs in your home, the chemical reaction releases pollutants into your air, including ultrafine particulate matter, as well as VOCs like nitrogen oxides or even deadly carbon monoxide.\u201d<\/p>\n Using gas stoves<\/a> can cause asthma and lung irritation, and gas leaks of unburned methane can worsen these effects. Lindh states, \u201cSigns of a gas leak include discolored flames, reduced oxygen levels, dead houseplants, fatigue, dizziness or a putrid smell from around your gas stove.\u201d This can be caused by a poorly fitted installation or repair, gas pipe corrosion or loose connective joints. He adds that research shows that harmful gases were leaking<\/a> into the air even when non-faulty stoves were turned off.<\/p>\n 3. Gas stoves, ovens and fireplaces can also increase CO2 levels<\/p>\n Switchbot\u2019s Meter Pro shows local air quality wherever you put it and is small enough to fit in a pocket.<\/p>\n Tyler Lacoma\/CNET<\/p>\n Tyler generally keeps his SwitchBot Meter Pro<\/a> in a central location between his kitchen and dining table. He, too, noticed that carbon dioxide readings specifically spiked when using his gas stovetop and oven, especially for long roasting sessions. Watching the SwitchBot readings, he found it took around 12 hours or longer for carbon dioxide levels around the kitchen to decrease.\u00a0<\/p>\n Another source of carbon dioxide levels for the SwitchBot monitor? Tyler\u2019s natural gas fireplace, which didn\u2019t cause the same spikes as cooking but still lifted the overall particle count in his house when in use. And opening windows isn\u2019t always an option \u2014 Tyler\u2019s Bend location gets a lot of West Coast wildfire smoke during the later summer months, which also noticeably increases indoor carbon dioxide levels even when windows stay shut tight.<\/p>\n \t\t\t 4. No ventilation can increase carbon dioxide, which can impact sleep<\/p>\n One of the notifications Anna often gets on her phone is that the carbon dioxide level in her bedroom is high and that she should open a window for ventilation. High carbon dioxide levels can also lead to poor sleep quality<\/a>, so ventilation is essential once you hit the hay.<\/p>\n \u201cCarbon dioxide, productivity and health are closely linked,\u201d Lindh explains. \u201cHigh concentrations are associated with restlessness, drowsiness, headaches and poor concentration.\u201d<\/p>\n Since we all breathe out carbon dioxide, it builds up in the home, especially in areas without ventilation. This is particularly the case in modern homes that are airtight to save on energy costs<\/a>, and since many ventilation systems recycle air in the name of efficiency.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people are sleeping, research shows that concentrations of CO2 are three to five times higher<\/a> when the bedroom window is closed \u2014 this means you\u2019re less likely to fall asleep or wake up feeling refreshed,\u201d explains Lindh. \u201cCarbon dioxide is also linked to conditions like sleep apnea<\/a>, and it\u2019s thought to trigger neurons that can rouse you from your sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Leaf blowers outside increase PM2.5 inside<\/p>\n The Airthings app displays a graph for PM2.5 over time.<\/p>\n Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n Even though Anna lives in Los Angeles, where they don\u2019t have to deal with piles of fallen leaves during the fall and winter seasons,\u00a0leaf blowers<\/a>\u00a0are abundant. After the Southern California wildfires in January, people were advised to avoid leaf blowers to prevent kicking up pollution into the air. But now, they\u2019re back, and whenever she hears one running outside, she always sees the PM2.5 particles increase on her Wave Plus monitor.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three main ways that leaf blowers can be a sneaky source of particulate matter inside your home: infiltration,\u00a0HVAC systems<\/a>\u00a0and open doors and windows,\u201d Lindh states.<\/p>\n Infiltration can occur when fine particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, and soot are stirred up by leaf blowers and enter buildings through gaps in doors and windows, cracks in the foundation and poorly sealed HVAC systems. \u201cPM2.5 is so tiny it can easily bypass weak seals or filters,\u201d Lindh adds. If a leaf blower is used near an HVAC intake vent, the system can suck the particles inside and distribute the PM2.5 throughout your home. The same goes for open doors and windows.<\/p>\n \t\t\t 6. Mattresses and bedding can increase VOCs<\/p>\n Your bed is another factor that can affect the air quality in the bedroom. Many mattresses contain VOCs<\/a> and can release them through a process called off-gassing. Commonly used materials, such as polyurethane foam, certain types of memory foam, adhesives and flame retardants, can have short- and long-term effects on respiratory health. The pressure and heat from our bodies while lying on the mattress can increase the release of these harmful VOCs.<\/p>\n A recent study<\/a> by the University of Toronto discovered elevated levels of harmful chemicals in children\u2019s bedrooms, including flame retardants, UV filters and phthalates. Phthalates are synthetic chemicals used in many everyday household items, including plastic products, food packaging, fragrances, personal care products and children\u2019s toys<\/a>. They have been found to harm the endocrine system<\/a> and can lead to hormone issues and other health problems.<\/p>\n In addition to adding an air purifier to the bedroom<\/a>, you can minimize the impact of VOCs while you and your children sleep by:<\/p>\n Give your new mattress a few days to off-gas after unboxing it<\/p>\n Opting for a mattress with natural latex foam and green certifications<\/a><\/p>\n Choosing neutral-colored bedding (brands often add UV filters to bright-colored products to prevent fading)<\/p>\n Washing bedding and pajamas often<\/p>\n Regularly cleaning and airing out the bedroom<\/p>\n Keeping toys and stuffed animals out of the crib or bed<\/p>\n 7. Cleaning products can increase VOCs<\/p>\n The View Plus displayed VOCs on the rise.<\/p>\n Anna Gragert\/CNET<\/p>\n Aly\u2019s Blueair Classic Pro CP7i<\/a> air purifier is centralized on the first floor of her home, so it\u2019s affected by regular cleaning of all the surrounding rooms, including the kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and cat litter box area. She has found that certain cleaning products trigger the air purifier, especially when doing a longer deep clean with products such as disinfecting bleach spray and scented wet cloths for floor mopping.\u00a0<\/p>\n It feels counterintuitive that cleaning your home can negatively impact your respiratory health, but Odile Liu<\/a>, Blueair\u2019s chief product officer, explains, \u201cMany conventional cleaning products \u2014 especially those with added fragrances \u2014 can release VOCs that trigger your air purifier. Scented sprays, bleach-based cleaners and products with synthetic fragrance blends are common culprits. These chemicals can linger in the air and may contribute to respiratory irritation, particularly for those with asthma or allergies. To minimize indoor air pollution, look for fragrance-free or low-VOC cleaners.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n It\u2019s also best to ventilate your space and open the windows while cleaning with chemicals to help prevent the buildup of harmful fumes or toxins. If you have a cat litter box in your home like Aly, consider placing an air purifier near it to reduce odors and dander. \u201cIt\u2019s especially helpful in smaller or poorly ventilated spaces where smells and particles can linger. For those with pet allergies, using a purifier with both a HEPA and activated carbon filter is key, as it helps capture allergens and neutralize odors,\u201d Liu says.<\/p>\n \t\t\t 8. How air temperature and pressure can affect indoor air quality<\/p>\n In addition to VOCs, PM2.5, radon, carbon dioxide and humidity, Anna\u2019s air quality sensors also display air temperature and pressure. When asked how they impact indoor air quality, Lindh explained, \u201cTemperature and air pressure don\u2019t necessarily impact indoor air quality directly, but they can facilitate and serve as a proxy for the impact of other more influential pollutants such as particulate matter, VOCs, radon and more.\u201d<\/p>\n As an example, Lindh states that chemical off-gassing increases with heat. This means that \u201chigher temperatures can cause materials like paint, cleaning products, plastics, and furniture with various varnishes and finishes on it to release more VOCs.\u201d Dust mites, mold and bacteria also typically flourish in warmer, humid air.<\/p>\n \u201cAir moves from high to low pressure. So, if indoor pressure is lower, outdoor air (and pollutants) can get sucked in through cracks or vents,\u201d adds Lindh. \u201cBuildings under negative pressure due to exhaust fans or unbalanced HVAC systems<\/a> can draw in radon, smoke or VOCs from crawl spaces, attached garages and the outdoors.\u201d<\/p>\n 9. Certain cookware and oils increase VOCs\u00a0<\/p>\n The Blueair Classic Pro air purifier<\/a> Aly uses has a dual filtration system that removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, including bacteria, viruses, smog and smoke. The air purifier\u2019s front digitally displays the air quality (specifically, the amount of particulate matter detected) in real time.<\/p>\n Natural gas stoves tend to emit more VOCs<\/a> than electric stoves, so Aly wasn\u2019t expecting her electric stovetop to significantly affect air quality. The first time Aly cooked in her kitchen after installing the air purifier, she was surprised to hear it kick on and start whirring, indicating a significant increase in VOCs \u2014 even with proper kitchen ventilation and the exhaust fans on high. The app showed that the air\u2019s PM10 spiked to 178, PM2.5 to 150 and PM1 to 109, which the purifier considers \u201cvery polluted.\u201d<\/p>\n The air purifier\u2019s connected app showcases the spikes in each type of particulate matter detected. Thankfully, it filters out the unwanted pollutants quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aly Lopez<\/p>\n Liu explains: \u201cCooking \u2014 even on an electric stovetop \u2014 can release fine particles, volatile organic compounds and grease aerosols into the air, especially with high-heat methods like frying or searing. Certain oils with low smoke points, like sesame or unrefined olive oil, and Teflon-lined cookware can also contribute, potentially triggering your purifier\u2019s sensors. Using a range hood, ventilating the space and running an air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters can help minimize buildup and odors.\u201d<\/p>\n After experimenting, Aly could confirm that using certain pans, particularly nonstick cookware, increased the PMs detected by the air purifier. Since learning that cooking fatty meats and other foods at high temperatures increases the amount of VOCs released, Aly has been using her outdoor grill<\/a> when cooking those meals instead.<\/p>\n How to prevent poor indoor air quality\u00a0<\/p>\n The Blueair Classic Pro CP7i air purifier is showing elevated PM2.5 levels.<\/p>\n Aly Lopez\/CNET<\/p>\n Lindh emphasizes that knowledge is power, so measuring and monitoring air quality over time can provide insights into potential pollutants. \u201cFrom there, you can introduce additional solutions such as purifiers<\/a>, upgrades to your HVAC system or radon mitigation, based on what the data is telling you,\u201d he concludes. \u201cAir quality can be a scary thought since it\u2019s an invisible threat, but it doesn\u2019t have to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Liu adds, \u201cWhether you\u2019re a pet owner, a parent or someone managing asthma or allergies, an air purifier can make a meaningful difference.\u201d She states that they can be beneficial in bedrooms and nurseries to support sleep quality or in high-traffic areas where you spend the most time, like the living room or kitchen. \u201cPrioritizing these shared spaces helps ensure the air you and your family breathe most often is as clean as possible,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnna Gragert\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSenior Editor, Health and Home\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAnna Gragert (she\/her\/hers) was previously the lifestyle editor at HelloGiggles, the deputy editor at So Yummy and the senior lifestyle editor at Hunker. Over the past 12 years, Anna has also written for the LA Times, Elle, Bust Magazine, Dazed, Apartment Therapy, Well+Good and more. At CNET, she’s a senior editor on the Healthy Home team, and her coverage includes health, wellness tech, meal kits and home and kitchen tech with a focus on the technology that aims to help us live our healthiest, happiest lives. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAly Lopez\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tFormer Writer I\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAly Lopez was a writer on the sleep and wellness team at CNET. She tested, researched and reviewed sleep and health-related products, technology and trends. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Central College and is a certified sleep science coach from the Spencer Institute. Aly is passionate about helping others improve their lives by writing about ways to get better sleep and improve their overall health and wellness. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTyler Lacoma\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tEditor \/ Home Security and Smart Home\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTyler has worked on, lived with and tested all types of smart home and security technology for over a dozen years, explaining the latest features, privacy tricks, and top recommendations.
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\nWith degrees in Business Management, Literature and Technical Writing, Tyler takes every opportunity to play with the latest AI technology, push smart devices to their limits and occasionally throw cameras off his roof, all to find the best devices to trust in your life. He always checks with the renters (and pets) in his life to see what smart products can work for everyone, in every living situation.
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\nLiving in beautiful Bend, Oregon gives Tyler plenty of opportunities to test the latest tech in every kind of weather and temperature. But when not at work, he can be found hiking the trails, trying out a new food recipe for his loved ones, keeping up on his favorite reading, or gaming with good friends.
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