Health Series #1: What is AQI? Why Clean Air Is So Important?

Hi there! 

Welcome to the first in a new series of newsletters, where we believe that everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air. 

Have you ever stopped to think about the air quality in your home? With the current wildfires blazing through California, it’s becoming more and more front of mind for all of us.

Especially given the fact that the average American spends 87% of their life indoors!!

You might not see it, but the air you’re breathing right now is filled with tiny, invisible particles, many of which harm our health.

Why Does Air Quality Matter?

We all need air to survive, but not all air is safe to breathe. The AQI (Air Quality Index) measures how clean the air is around us. 

The air in our homes has tiny particles of dust, chemicals, or even gases that can make us sick. These come from things like dust, pollen, smoke, chemicals from cooking, mold… the list goes on.

But the problem is, you can’t always see or smell these harmful particles and they get into our bodies when we breathe. 

Over time, this impacts our lungs, heart, brain, skin, and even our sleep.

What Makes Indoor Air Worse Than Outdoor Air?

Fact: The air inside our homes can be 2 to 5 times dirtier than the air outside.

That’s because the wind and weather move air around and carry pollution away. But inside, the air gets trapped, and tiny particles keep floating around. Think of:

• Cleaning sprays and candles releasing chemicals

• Pet dander (tiny bits of fur and skin)

• Furniture and carpets rub off invisible micro particles called VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

What Does This Mean For Your Health?

Ever had a cough, brain fog, or itchy skin? Indoor air could be the culprit, causing common issues such as:

1. Lung Problems: Tiny particles can get stuck in our lungs, turning into a cough, asthma or allergies.

2. Heart Problems: Polluted air makes our heart work harder, leading to heart disease or a stroke.

3. Brain Fog: chemicals in the air affect our brain, making it harder to think clearly or remember things.

4. Skin Issues: Dirty air can dry out our skin, causing rashes or irritation.

5. Poor Sleep: breathing dust or allergens impacts the quality of our sleep.

And a lot more, but we’ll dive into later.

At-Home Air Quality Tip

Salus filters can improve your indoor air without thinking about it, but there are easy practices you should also do each day, starting with simply opening your windows.

For just 10–15 minutes a day, this will help push out stale, polluted indoor air and bring in cleaner outdoor air. 

Especially if you’ve been cooking, cleaning, or doing anything else that might release particles or odors into your home!

If you live in a city or near a busy road with high outdoor pollution, open your windows during times of lower traffic or after it rains, when the air is cleaner. 😉 

What’s Next?

We’ll regularly post updates about air and health, important news regarding air quality, and practical tips so you can improve your indoor air.

Our hearts go out to all the people in California right now - if you’re able to help, here’s a link with valuable and legitimate resources.

Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll talk about how air affects our lungs, and what you can do to protect yours.

With fresh perspectives,

Seb & Hall

Co-founders of Salus Homes

Breathe Better. Live Better. 🌿