“The average person takes between 17,280 and 23,040 breaths a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The act of breathing in and out moves oxygen through our bodies, which in turn keeps us all moving through school, work, play, and everything in between. Needless to say, the air we breathe can have a major impact on our overall health—which is why air quality alerts exist.

While you likely already know what not to do when the air quality is bad outside (no marathon training today), you may not be aware of the major no-no indoor activities to avoid when the air quality near you is in the red. International mold expert and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association, Michael Rubino, wants you to think of it this way: Each breath is either an opportunity to inhale pollutants or to inhale the cleanest air possible. And inside your own home, the choice is yours.

According to Rubino, the best way to ensure air quality is good inside even if it’s bad outside is to first “develop a routine cleaning regimen to remove dust, allergens, toxins, and other indoor pathogens.” This can include keeping doors and windows closed when you know the air quality is bad outside. He also advises people to purchase a “good air purifier” that removes as small of a particle as possible and as efficiently as possible.

And once those measures are in place? Here are five activities not to do at home to ensure your indoor air quality stays as safe as possible, even on a code red day.”

Read the full article here:  https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/activities-to-avoid-when-air-quality-is-poor