Research has found that indoor air in Indian homes is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. BITS Pilani, IIT Jodhpur, and NIT Warangal have developed the first Indoor Air Quality Index to address this issue.

The pollution problem has become so severe these days that people often assume indoor air is safe. However, a recent study by scientists from BITS Pilani, IIT Jodhpur, and NIT Warangal revealed that indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. According to the research, this situation can be especially dangerous in cities, where homes are smaller and ventilation is poor.

Scientists have developed India's first Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Index. Its purpose is to accurately assess the harmful pollutants present in indoor air. People used to think that staying indoors could protect us from toxic air, but research has found that indoor air can contain very high levels of particulates like PM2.5 and PM10.

Increasing pollution from kitchens, cleaning, and household chores

Research has found that everyday activities like cooking, sweeping, handling dirty garbage, or disposing of unsorted waste increase the amount of pollutants in the air. Small houses, poor ventilation, and a lack of exhaust systems allow these pollutants to accumulate quickly, leading to dangerous levels of indoor pollution.

Seasonal and external factors are also responsible.

Winter haze and smog, firecracker smoke during festivals, and smoke from nearby garbage bins or stubble burning also pollute indoor air. Research lead Atul Roy Chowdhury says, "Our study shows that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, so it's crucial to pay attention to indoor air quality."

Western standards don't apply to India

Researchers argue that Western IAQ standards are ineffective due to the unique nature of Indian homes and lifestyles. Professor Shankar Ganesh of BITS Pilani says that our homes, our cooking habits, our festivals, and our climate are all unique. Therefore, we need an indoor air quality scale specific to India.

How the data was collected

The team collected real-life air data from homes in Indian cities, especially in construction and renovation areas. They then analyzed and assigned different weights to pollutants and created a simple IAQ scale that is easily understandable to homeowners. This scale helps families assess the indoor air quality and take measures to improve their homes.

Impact of Outdoor Pollution

The research also revealed that outdoor pollution, such as stubble burning, smoke from garbage dumps, and improper waste disposal, significantly impact indoor air quality. Methane released from unsorted waste not only pollutes indoor air but also poses a threat to climate change.