When we think of air pollution, smoggy skylines, traffic snarls, and industrial chimneys come to mind. But the truth, as startling as it is overlooked, lies closer than we imagine—right inside our homes. According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, the air indoors—where we spend up to 90% of our lives—is often far more polluted than the air outside. And yet, while we invest in diet plans, yoga mats, and ergonomic chairs, we rarely think about the very air we breathe at home.

It’s a curious paradox in the age of wellness: we are what we breathe, but what we breathe indoors is often neglected.

The Invisible Threat Floating Inside Our Living Rooms

Indoor air pollution doesn’t come from just one source—it’s a cocktail of cooking fumes, cleaning agents, poor ventilation, and even our fancy laser printers. The report highlights that everyday tasks such as heating, cleaning cleaning, or even lighting a scented candle can release harmful air pollutants. These pollutants are linked to respiratory diseases, disturbed sleep, impaired cognition, and even mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. Yet, indoor air quality is rarely addressed in public health discourse, often taking a backseat to outdoor pollution policies.