Danger lurking behind closed doors

IT’S a startling thought – people are at far greater risk from air pollution in their homes than they are from air pollution outdoors.

That’s one of the ironies of “improvements” in the building industry, not least insulation that’s virtually air-tight.

Advances in house design and construction mean that air movement in today’s buildings is estimated to be 10 times lower than it was 30 years ago. Activities in the home such as cooking, heating and smoking, along with reduced air exchange, can create more indoor pollutants.