HYDERABAD: Not just the outdoors, rising air pollution levels inside homes too have become a concern, say experts. In a recent survey conducted across four cities in India, including Hyderabad, experts found that houses in the city had among the highest percentage of dust particle that are 20 micron in size. The average in other cities was around 10-15 micron.
The study also found a high amount of bacteria, fungi, dust mite, cockroach, cat and dog allergens in Hyderabad homes. According to doctors, these allergens can act as triggers for allergies and asthma among people.
As part of the study, dust samples were collected from houses in Attapur, Somajiguda, New Malakpet, Madhapur, Gandhinagar,
Kondapur and Rajender Nagar. The results were collated by a team of experts from Dyson — a company which manufactures household appliances — and the FICCI Research and Analysis Centre, which works in this area.
“Indoor air has pollutants from the outdoors (reflecting the outdoor air), but in addition has allergens that are unique to the indoor environment such as house dust mites, cockroach allergens, fungal spores, all of which tend to be present in high densities indoors, owing to limited ventilation,” said Dr Lancelot Mark Pinto a consultant pulmonologist.