How polluted is your house?

we already know the impact that air pollution is having on the climate, but it’s also one of the biggest issues facing our health and wellbeing. The World Health Organization says that nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air, and its effects are causing strain on the already buckling NHS, with a recent study revealing it sets the UK back £20 billion in medical costs and lost labour each year. Air pollution has been linked to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, inflammation (known to accelerate both visible and metabolic ageing) and a rise in blood pressure. Both the NHS and British Heart Foundation have declared air pollution an ‘emergency’.

‘In line with the rise of clean living and more holistic approaches to wellbeing is the increased awareness of the environmental effects of poor air quality and pollution in our urban environments,’ says Victoria

Buchanan, futures analyst at The Future Laboratory. ‘As these two trends converge, pure and filtered air is being elevated into a new elite urban status symbol.’

THE BUSINESS OF CLEAN AIR

According to market intelligence agency, Mintel, by 2030 we can expect to see ‘clean air as a selling point for high-street retailers, venues, and public buildings’, but some businesses are ahead of the curve. At London-based spa Pfeffer Sal (pfeffersal. com), founder Andrea Pfeffer explains she wanted to ensure that every element of the clinic is good for the skin. ‘It’s all very well applying incredible products and technologies,’ she says, ‘but if the environment they are used in is not beneficial to the body, then you’re not going to get the most out of them.’ In the spa, there is an air purification system

that traps pollution particles like bacteria, dust and pollen. UVC light filters destroy airborne pathogens, and photocatalytic oxidation technology reduces smoke and odours. ‘What you end up with is the crème de la crème of clean air, so you can literally breathe easy,’ says Andrea.

Across town at Westfield, White City, Natura Bissé (naturabisse.com) has opened an anti-pollution spa. ‘It offers wellness and skincare treatments to combat the stresses of urban living,’ says Victoria. ‘The space, designed by Spanish architect Juan Trias de Bes, has three treatment rooms that each benefit from 99.9% pollutantfree “pure air”.’

And it’s not just spas purifying their air. Stella Mccartney claims that her Bond Street store, opened in 2018, has the cleanest air in the city. The boutique was fitted with nano-carbon filter technology that whisks away pollution. Outside the UK, in Seoul, Korea, department store Hanwha Galleria is covered in a pollution-tracking light installation that shines red when dust levels outside are bad and green when they’re good.

HOW POLLUTED IS YOUR HOME?

Keeping your living space squeaky clean can contribute to polluted indoor air. Many household products, candles and aerosols contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) and other toxic substances. The main culprits are products such as air fresheners, oven cleaners, polish and cleaning detergents. The American Lung Association warns that you should ‘choose products that do not contain or have reduced amounts of VOCS, fragrances, irritants and flammable ingredients and to avoid using air fresheners altogether.’

Of course, we’re not about to stop cleaning our homes, so to mitigate some of the indoor pollution, Andrea says you can mimic some of the effects of the air filtration system in her spa by filling your home with greenery. ‘Use the power of plants to purify air. Plants such as the spider plant, snake plant and even aloe vera have been shown to purify the air, so get a little green-fingered and buy some foliage.’ And look to non-toxic household cleaners from brands such as Method, Ecover and Daylesford.

USE THE POWER OF PLANTS TO PURIFY AIR