Image via Shutterstock; Edited by LITE
So we all go to the bathroom to take a shower and get ourselves clean—but what if we’re actually breathing in polluted air while doing so?
Yes, there are air pollutants hiding in your bathroom! This shouldn’t come as a surprise—according to a study by Nippon Paint Malaysia, only 40% of Malaysians clean their bathroom once or twice a week, so you’re not exactly breathing healthy air when you’re in there.
Curious of what are the health dangers you face in your bathroom? Read on:
#1 Bacteria
When you don’t clean your bathroom, bacteria will grow and be absorbed into the air you breathe.
How to resolve this problem: Frequently wipe your toiletries dry.
#2 Mould
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If you’ve been ignoring mould just because they look disgusting and you don’t want to deal with it, be aware that mould caused by wet surfaces can lead to allergies and asthma!
How to resolve this problem: Remove the mould by cleaning the surface with eco-friendly cleaning products such as baking soda and water. Then, dry the surfaces out by leaving the windows and door open.
#3 Cleaning products
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Remember, even if you’re cleaning your bathroom, the products you use may contain chemicals that could be hazardous to your health when you breathe them in!
How to resolve this problem: Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
#4 Unhealthy air trapped in your bathroom
More than 60% of Malaysians are suffering from poor indoor air quality in their own home. Since we usually keep our bathroom doors closed, it's very likely that there's unhealthy air trapped inside that will also put your health at risk. For example, if you’re a smoker or live with a smoker, the cigarette residue will remain in your bathroom, making you inhale hazardous air.
How to resolve this problem: Install an exhaust fan. It improves cleanliness by sucking out moisture from air, moving polluted indoor air outside instead.
#5 Paint that contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are released from furnishings and building materials. The common ones are colourless, strong-smelling formaldehyde which poses a great risk to our respiratory system. Some paints may also contain them.
If you happen to be redoing your bathroom tile wall, don’t hack them—paint over them instead!
Use Nippon Paint Tile Primer, as it helps to restrict the growth of mould and fungus. Then, paint over with Nippon Paint Aqua Epoxy for tougher finishing.
You can also check out other paints in the Nippon Paint Green Choice Series
Image via Nippon Paint Malaysia
The Green Choice Series are environmentally friendly and has almost zero VOC content. It provides tough resistance against moulds and will protect your walls from bacteria!
Need more info on the paints and indoor air pollution study? Just visit the Nippon Paint Indoor Wellness Program website.