How Indoor Air Becomes Toxic During Smog & What You Can Do About It
Most Pakistanis assume smog is only an outdoor problem. Shut the windows, stay inside, and you’re safe, right? Sadly, the opposite happens. During smog months, indoor air can become 2–5x more polluted than outdoor air, especially in sealed homes.
That means the air you breathe inside your living room may quietly carry enough PM2.5 particles to damage your lungs, irritate your throat, and trigger asthma, before you even step outside.
If Pakistan’s smog season has taught us anything, it’s this: indoor spaces are not safe by default. You must make them safe.
Why Indoor Air Gets Toxic During Smog Season?
Smog particles (especially PM2.5) are incredibly tiny nearly 30 times smaller than a grain of sand. They slip through:
- Window gaps and door edges
- Bathroom exhausts and kitchen vents
- Wall cracks and AC ducts
- Clothes and hair when you return home
Once inside, pollutants stay trapped, recirculating in rooms where you sleep, cook, and work.
Add common indoor sources like:
- Gas stoves and heaters
- Dust buildup
- Carpets, mattresses, and curtains
- Mosquito coils or incense
- Paint fumes and cleaning sprays
…and the home becomes a low-oxygen, toxin-rich bubble.
Studies show indoor PM2.5 in Pakistani homes can exceed 150–300 μg/m³ during smog spikes, dangerously above WHO's safe limit of 5 μg/m³ (annual).
Signs Your Indoor Air Is Polluted
You may not “see” pollution, but your body will notice it:
- Dry throat and coughing
- Burning or watery eyes
- Headaches and fatigue
- Tight chest or short breath
- Dust settling quickly on furniture
- Kids coughing more at night
- Odd smell or stale air feeling
If symptoms worsen indoors? That's your warning.
Most Common Indoor Pollution Traps in Pakistan
| Source | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Closed rooms with poor ventilation | Traps pollutants, low oxygen |
| Gas heaters | Releases nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide |
| Cooking without exhaust | Releases harmful gases and PM |
| Carpet & fabric dust | Holds allergens and fine particles |
| Low-quality masks indoors | False sense of protection |
The winter combo of closed windows + gas heaters is especially risky,, some households experience dizziness and breathing issues without realizing why.
What You Can Do to Make Indoor Air Safe
Use a HEPA-grade air purifier
This is the single most effective step.
A true HEPA purifier traps PM2.5, dust, smoke, pollen, and allergens.
Look for:
- True HEPA H13 filter
- Activated carbon layer (for smoke & odor)
- CADR suited to room size
This is why smart homeowners in Lahore and Faisalabad are now keeping at least one best smart purifier running in bedrooms during smog months.
Seal gaps and leaks
Use:
- Weather strips for doors
- Window rubber sealing
- Tape on loose frames during peak smog days
Seal first, purify second.
Run bathroom & kitchen exhausts smartly
Use them only when needed.
Running exhausts constantly during smog can pull dirty outdoor air IN.
Avoid indoor smoke & heating mistakes
Replace:
- Indoor gas heaters → electric heaters
- Mosquito coils → electric repellents
- Scented candles/incense → avoid in smog season
Ventilate wisely
Don’t open windows in the morning or evening.
Best time to refresh air: midday for 10–15 minutes only (AQI permitting).
Keep surfaces dust-free
Wipe with damp cloths, dry dusting spreads particles.
Kids & Elderly Need Special Protection
Children breathe faster. Elderly lungs are more fragile. Asthma patients face the highest risk. During smog months, prioritize clean indoor air like you would food and water.
Indoor air safety is not a luxury; it’s survival.
Quick Home Checklist
| Action | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Install HEPA purifier | Removes PM2.5 |
| Seal doors/windows | Blocks pollutants |
| Limit gas heaters | Prevents toxic gases |
| Use masks outdoors | Stops particle entry |
| Steam inhalation | Clears airways |
| Track AQI | Smart ventilation timing |
Conclusion
Smog doesn’t end when you close the door, it comes home with you. And most Pakistani homes unintentionally trap it inside. The good news? With the right steps, you can turn your home into a clean-air zone even when the city outside looks like a foggy chimney.
Breathing is not optional; so clean air shouldn’t be optional either.
FAQs
Why does indoor air get polluted during smog?
Smog particles enter through tiny gaps in windows, doors, vents, and clothes, then get trapped inside sealed rooms.
Does closing windows block smog?
Not fully. PM2.5 particles are microscopic and still enter homes. Seal gaps and use a HEPA air purifier.
Can gas heaters worsen indoor air in Pakistan?
Yes. Gas heaters release harmful gases and reduce oxygen, making indoor air more toxic during smog season.
Do air purifiers help against smog?
Yes, a true HEPA purifier removes PM2.5, smoke, and allergens, keeping indoor air breathable.
When should I ventilate my home in smog season?
Ventilate briefly at midday when AQI is relatively lower. Avoid mornings and evenings.