Using dōTERRA Essential Oils to Help Counteract Bad Air Quality

Using dōTERRA Essential Oils to Help Counteract Bad Air Quality

Brrr, it’s cold outside! And depending on where you live, the air quality you are being exposed to right now might not be so great. In fact, air quality seems to be a trending news topic worldwide. Cold weather often leads to a temperature inversion where cold air is trapped underneath warmer air, resulting in hazy skies and poor air quality from the suspended pollution.

Pollution can have a significant impact on human health, the economy, and the environment. Negative outcomes from exposure include respiratory and cardiovascular problems, reduced visibility, degraded water quality, contributions to global warming, poor air quality, and public health risks.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pollutants released into the air can impact air quality, as well as terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems when the pollutants fall back to Earth. When particles and gases are released into the air they are exchanged with the Earth’s surface. Some chemicals that are in the air-surface exchange (including nitrogen, sulfur, and mercury compounds) can have a significant impact on the environment, and sometimes human health.

Air quality can be determined by the type of gaseous and particle pollutants found in the air we breathe, and more than half of the people in the U.S. live in areas that do not meet the health-bases air quality standards established by the United States. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular problems along with tens of thousands of premature deaths each year! Read more about air qualityhere.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some of the major sources of pollution are caused by emissions from industrial facilities and electric utilities, motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents.

Many people have starting to take an initiative to help eliminate pollution and bad air quality in their states. Mothers in Utah have even started a rally to call for a statewide movement towards clean energy.

Although you may not have a lot of control over pollution and air quality outside, you do have control over the air quality in your own home. The EPA lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat to our country. The American Lung Association recommends that the first line of defense against indoor air pollution is finding ways to keep the pollutants from being added to the air in the first place. Read more about measures you can take to improve indoor air quality in your home.

Luckily, using and diffusing essential oils on a regular basis in the home can help eliminate indoor pollutants and pathogens. Start by diffusing our Purify Cleansing Blend, On Guard Protective Blend, or Breathe Respiratory Blend to help improve indoor air quality. Also, you’ll want to replace any chemical or toxic substances in your home, such as your cleaning cabinet and medicine cabinet.

If you or any loved ones suffers from asthma or other respiratory issues, read our previous blog post on Breathe Respiratory Blend to see how it can be a complementary support agent for your health. Breathe works great to open airways and soothe lungs irritated from breathing contaminated air. Begin by massaging Breathe onto the chest area with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. Remember, bad air quality is usually at its worst with extreme hot or cold weather, so limiting outdoor exposure during those times may be best for your health.

Here is a list of essential oils that can help get rid of bacteria, germs, fungi, and mold to help reduce indoor pollutants in your home:

ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES

Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Marjoram, Melaleuca, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, Sage, sandalwood, Wild Orange, Wintergreen

ANTIVIRAL PROPERTIES

Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Oregano, Sandalwood, Thyme

ANTIFUNGAL PROPERTIES

Eucaluptus, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Patchouli, Sage, Sandalwood, Thyme

ANTIBIOTIC PROPERTIES

Bergamot, Clove, Eucaluptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Melaleuca, Oregano, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile



References:

http://www.arl.noaa.gov/documents/Summaries/AQSOSFactSheet2012.pdf

http://www.arl.noaa.gov/AirQual.php

http://www.epa.gov/oaqps001/gooduphigh/bad.html

http://www.lung.org/associations/charters/mid-atlantic/air-quality/indoor-air-quality.html

http://blog.utahmomsforcleanair.org/