Plants and other natural features don’t just look nice, they can actually improve the productivity, health, biodiversity, resilience, and sustainability of a space and its occupants. Actual living plants are not even necessary— images, textures, smells, and other sensory cues also inspire thoughts of the natural world.
Keeping clothes and shoes in good shape when they are not being worn not only lets you keep your favorite items, it’s also better for the wallet and environment. A study in Norway found that most clothing is used for 4 or 5 years and up to a fifth of textile waste is nearly unused. More recent research in the UK estimates the average garment life to be as low as 2.2 years.
We have known for thousands of years that not only is smoke unhealthy, there is a lot more of it in cities where more people are cooking and keeping warm. Even Ancient Rome was infamous for its large clouds of noxious industrial pollution. But it wasn’t until thousands of people were literally suffocated by the pollution on the streets of London one week in 1952 that scientists, researchers, and governments started dedicated resources to studying and solving the impact of air pollution on people and the environment.
On March 17th, 2022, the Biden Administration launched the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. Spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Government is calling on all building managers public and private to improve indoor air quality. While reducing the spread of viruses is a primary goal of the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, reducing exposure to any potentially harmful particles or gasses is also part of the charge.
Our partner and favorite Interior Design Expert, Bobby Berk, reminds us “A harmonious home equals inner peace.” A calm exterior leads to a calm interior, and when we are at peace we can be more mindful and productive. At Molekule our mission is to help make your home a sanctuary using science to clean the air, and we also like to provide other methods for peaceful home design.
The ability to smell is one of the most powerful human senses. Because of the way your brain processes odors, different scents can evoke strong emotions or memories. They can also help you interpret your surroundings. When you smell something, your brain uses scent cues to help you observe and analyze the world around you. Odors can alert you to fire, mold and other hazards that you may not see at first. Sometimes, if a smell is caused by toxic chemicals, an odor itself can be harmful.
Sleep is essential for mental health, physical health and your overall quality of life. Chronic sleep deficiency can affect brain function and heart health, as well as increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and stroke.
During the 2020-2021 school year, most school districts, parents, and students agreed that in-person learning was too risky due the Covid-19 pandemic, thus classes were held online at home via a video link. Now, with the fall 2021 semester fast approaching, the resurgent Delta variant has experts analyzing the available data and giving recommendations on how to proceed with the new school year.
The smells we associate with newness and cleanliness — a fresh coat of paint, a new car, lemon-scented disinfectant — are not as harmless as they may seem. These odors are caused by the release of gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they come from more sources than you might expect. When these gases build up in indoor air, some of them can contribute to a wide range of health problems.
Getting in shape is one of the best things that you can do to stay healthy. Regular exercise can help you look, think, feel and even sleep better. However, when air quality is poor, working out can come with its own health hazards.
Each year, Air Quality Awareness Week is a joint effort by the Environmental Health Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) to educate the public about the growing problem of air pollution.