The short answer
Keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent suits most people. Below that, airways and throats dry out; above it, dust mites and mould thrive.
Small changes compound. Running a range hood, washing bedding weekly and keeping humidity in range each cut exposure a little; together they transform the air in a home over a year.
Too dry
Winter heating can drop humidity below 20 percent, thickening mucus and irritating the throat.
Older adults, young children and people with heart or lung conditions are most sensitive to poor air quality, so household changes often benefit the most vulnerable people in the home.
Too damp
Above 50 to 60 percent, dust mites multiply and mould can grow on cold walls.
Ventilation is free. Opening windows on the side of the house away from traffic when outdoor air is good refreshes indoor air in minutes.
Lungora: One capsule a day. From $49 a bottle with a 60-day guarantee.
See today's Lungora discountMeasure it
A hygrometer costs a few dollars and removes the guesswork.
Fragrance is not the same as freshness. Air fresheners, candles and plug-ins add compounds to the air rather than removing them.
Fixing it
Humidifiers in winter, dehumidifiers and ventilation in damp homes. Clean humidifiers weekly.
Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the EPA, and indoor pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoors. That makes the home one of the easiest places to make a real difference to what your lungs breathe.
A quick checklist
- Place a true HEPA purifier in the bedroom.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Check the air quality index before outdoor exercise.
- Skip scented candles and air fresheners.
- Switch on the cooker hood whenever you cook.
The EPA's approach to indoor air comes down to three steps: control the source, ventilate, and clean the air. Removing a pollutant beats filtering it, and filtering it beats breathing it.
Putting it into practice
You cannot see most of what matters in indoor air. Fine particles, gases and allergens are invisible, which is why an inexpensive monitor or hygrometer often changes habits more than advice alone.
Write down how you feel today: mornings, stairs, nights and energy. Look again in four weeks. Memory is poor at spotting gradual change, and a two-line note often reveals that ordinary days have become a little easier.
Where Lungora fits
A word about our own capsule: Lungora works gradually over weeks, so it is a companion to good habits rather than a shortcut. If that kind of support interests you, the Lungora discount packages start at $49 a bottle with a 60-day guarantee. You may also like our page on the Lungora ingredients.
Common questions
Do I need an air purifier?
A HEPA purifier helps most in bedrooms, during wildfire smoke and for people with allergies.
Are scented candles bad for breathing?
They add particles and volatile compounds; unscented or no candles is gentler on airways.
Is indoor air really worse than outdoor air?
It can be, often two to five times higher for some pollutants, according to the EPA.
Key takeaway
In brief: Keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent suits most people. Start with one change this week, add another next week, and review after a month.
Before you order, please read this. Lungora is a dietary supplement, not a treatment for any lung disease, and it never replaces an inhaler, oxygen or prescribed medicine. Turmeric and CoQ10 can affect blood thinners such as warfarin, alpha lipoic acid can lower blood sugar, and butcher's broom can raise blood pressure, so ask your doctor or pharmacist first if any of those apply to you. Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain or a cough lasting more than three weeks needs a medical check.