Haze: Staying indoors cuts exposure but won’t make your home pollution-free, experts say

As the haze returns to Malaysia, experts warn that staying indoors does little to make homes completely free of polluted air. While keeping doors and windows closed can lessen the amount of outdoor particulate matter entering a residence, particularly for those with air-conditioning, it does not guarantee a completely pollution-free environment.

Tan Zhi Shen, a chief executive of Applied Air Quality Specialists Sdn Bhd, explains that PM10 particles that enter a home will eventually settle on surfaces, while finer PM2.5 particles may linger in the air longer before settling. Air conditioning units in typical homes can help maintain indoor air quality by recirculating indoor air and filtering haze particulate matter if present.

However, closed homes can create a risk of carbon dioxide buildup due to inadequate ventilation, potentially causing drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and rapid breathing. Sunway Medical Centre's consultant physician Dr Kow Ken Siong adds that while staying indoors reduces exposure, it does not eliminate it entirely, as fine particulate matter like PM2.5 can still infiltrate the home through gaps or ventilation systems.

HEPA air purifiers, appropriately sized for the room, can provide extra protection during significant haze. Elevated carbon dioxide levels and the inhalation of fine particulate matter can lead to various health issues, including coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, and increased susceptibility to viral infections. Vulnerable groups, such as children, older adults, and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma and cardiovascular disease, face a higher risk of experiencing more severe symptoms or worsening of existing health issues.