REPAIR YOUR AIR

Ensure your quality of air is topnotch and reap the benefits

- Amy Hadley

If we learned anything from the shocking bushfires in recent years, it’s that air quality has a serious effect on our health and wellbeing. But how much do we need to worry about air quality at home, and how can we improve it?

COMMON FACTORS

Generally speaking, we have good air quality in New Zealand and our air pollution levels are very low compared to many other countries, says Professor Bin Jalaludin, environmental epidemiologist at UNSW and Lung Foundation Australia spokesperson for air quality. “However, we know that even low levels of air pollution can lead to some health effects.”

Outdoor air quality is affected by factors like fuel burning, fires, smoke, dust and pollen. At home, tiny particles and chemicals from gas cookers, wood heaters, smoking, cleaning products, new furniture and IT equipment can cause poor air quality.