As part of our November series helping to promote COPD Awareness Month, this article takes a look at what to do post-diagnosis.
So you or someone you love has been diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and formal treatment with a medical professional has begun. What is next? The need to avoid outdoor pollutants such as exhaust fumes and pollution from manufacturing is often emphasized but it’s the pollution inside our homes that can cause the real threat – especially to those with respiratory problems. Most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors so ensuring the air inside the workplace and home is free from pollutants is of particular importance.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gas which is often present in homes. It is particularly dangerous for people with COPD as it can cause coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness to increase dramatically. The experts at world-renowned Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore were concerned about this matter when they developed a study to measure ways to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the home. The aim of the study was to measure how effective certain, simple changes around the home could be at reducing levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
In order to measure the effectiveness of various changes around the home, the research team split the study participants into three sub-groups. In the first study group, the team removed gas stoves from subject’s homes and replaced them with electric stoves. In the second, ventilation hoods were fitted over the gas stoves in order to remove any pollutants produced when cooking. In the third study group, the gas stoves remained but participants also received two COPD Air Purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters. The air purifiers were to be used in the kitchen and bedroom of each participant.
The research team measured levels of NO2 immediately before making any changes, one week later, and then three months later. It was no surprise to find out that levels of Nitrogen Dioxide dropped significantly when the gas stoves were removed altogether. Three months after the stoves were replaced NO2 levels dropped by 51% in the kitchens and 42% in the bedrooms.
Surprisingly, the use of a ventilation hood designed specifically to remove pollutants produced when cooking made no significant difference and the levels of NO2 remained high.
With the installation of air purifiers in the home, improvements in air quality were seen immediately, as levels of nitrogen dioxide in the kitchen dropped by 27% and continued to stay low for the length of the study. Having an air purifier in the bedroom also significantly improved air quality, within a week NO2 levels dropped by 23%. Potentially, this decrease could be enough to lessen emergency room visits due to respiratory problems.
It is clear from the results of the study that swapping a gas stove for an electric stove will dramatically reduce levels of NO2 in the home.However, for many people with respiratory problems it may not always be possible to change the type of cooking stove they use – particularly for renters. Moreover, gas stoves are not the only source of unwanted NO2 in our homes – gas heaters, gas boilers, gas tumble dryers, and tobacco smoke all produce nitrogen dioxide.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Many other items found in the home are also sources of indoor pollution. Household detergents, chemicals used in soft furnishing and carpets, as well as certain types of furniture can all emit harmful pollutants into the air. This makes it almost impossible to completely eliminate the source of airborne pollutants which are triggers for symptoms of COPD sufferers.
On top of changing out your gas stove or installing air purifiers throughout your home, there are other smaller changes you can make to your home environment to help successfully manage your condition.
Here are a few additional tips:
- As stated in our previous COPD discussion, you should quit smoking immediately
- Ensure bedding is free from allergens by using anti-mite sprays and frequently vacuuming your mattress
- Use an anti-allergen pillow and mattress protectors
- Regularly wash your pillows on the hot cycle
- Keep carpets, rugs, and soft furnishings clean and free from dust
- Opt for hard wood or tile flooring rather than rugs and carpets to guarantee thorough cleaning
- If your child has respiratory problems, keep their soft toys such as stuffed animals in a plastic toy bin to avoid dust settling
- If you know that your pets cause your symptoms to worsen and re-homing your loved one(s) isn’t an option, try your best to keep them out of your bedroom. Although you can’t ensure your pet is allergen free, regular cleaning and grooming will keep the amount of pet dander they shed to a minimum
- Make sure your home is mold free, as dampness and mold will aggravate your symptoms.
Receiving the news that you’ve got a serious health condition can be scary and making changes to your life can be daunting. Try to remain calm and focus by starting small. Talk to your doctor or seek out other professional assistance. By improving the indoor air quality in your home and workplace and establishing a treatment plan with a medical professional, you can begin to restore your respiratory health and effectively manage your COPD.
