Did you know that breathing polluted air can cause sleep disorders?

University of Washington research on the link between air pollution and insomnia

Air pollution, as is well known, can be responsible for multiple health harms including fatigue, headaches, decreased concentration, asthma, respiratory diseases, lung diseases and so on.

However, poor air quality can also be a cause of insomnia problems.

Research from the University of Washington through a study titled ”Air Pollution May Disrupt Sleep” and mentioned by the British Guardian newspaper, shows the link between air pollution and poor sleep quality.

The study examines the amount of time participants -1,863 people having an average age of 68 years-spend in bed sleeping at night compared to how much they spend in bed staying awake at all times during night hours (”sleep efficiency”).

The results show that increased exposure to pollutants, especially particulate matter, negatively affects mental and physical well-being by worsening sleep quality.

The risks associated with poor sleep quality

Rest is one of the essential factors in preserving our physical and mental health. Adults should sleep between 6 and 8 hours per night, children between 9 and 12 hours. The problem is that unfortunately millions of people in the world get little and poor sleep.

In the long run, poor quality sleep can lead to serious consequences on our health.

Negative effects include problems related to emotional and psychological state, increased hunger and thus an increased risk of eating problems, and the possibility of developing heart disease.

The importance of knowing the air quality index (AQI)

If you suffer from insomnia problems or sleep poorly without understanding why, you may wonder about the quality of the air you breathe inside your home. If you live in a polluted environment, it is very likely that the cause of your discomfort could be related to the pollutants in your home.

The Indoor Air Quality-IAQ index refers to the air you breathe indoors, such as homes, private and public offices, and hospitality facilities including hospitals, schools, barracks, hotels, banks, etc.

The better the air quality, the better the comfort of a building’s occupants.

Knowing and constantly monitoring pollutants in confined spaces can help reduce the risk of health-related problems.