As Delhi-NCR prepares for another difficult pollution season, many residents are using N95 masks and air purifiers and keeping windows shut at peak hours. According to Times Now, there is a source of pollution that often goes unnoticed: the air inside people's own homes. Common daily practices can add to it, particularly in rooms with poor ventilation.
Key points
- Burning incense sticks, dhoop, camphor and mosquito coils, and holding indoor havans, can release pollutants indoors.
- The Union Health Ministry's October 2025 advisory names mosquito coil and incense smoke as sources of household air pollution.
- Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions may be more vulnerable.
- Simple changes such as better ventilation and non-burning mosquito control can reduce exposure.
How everyday practices add to indoor pollution
Incense sticks, dhoop and mosquito coils work by burning. This releases fine particulate matter, including PM2.5, along with gases and chemical compounds. These tiny particles can travel deep into the respiratory system, where they may cause irritation and worsen existing breathing problems.
The report refers to a 2018 study in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. It looked at 166 low-income urban households in Pune and found that mosquito coil use was linked to higher indoor PM2.5 levels. The researchers also found links between incense use, winter conditions and higher exposure to particles. The report notes that these findings cannot be taken as direct measurements of pollution inside homes in Delhi-NCR. It says they do show how routine household activities can add to indoor air pollution.
Why winter makes it worse
Delhi's winter pollution comes from several sources, including vehicle emissions, road and construction dust, industrial pollution and biomass burning. Low wind speeds and temperature inversion can trap pollutants close to the ground. When outdoor air is bad, people spend more time indoors with doors and windows closed. Smoke from incense sticks and mosquito coils can then build up inside, especially if ventilation is inadequate.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's October 2025 advisory advises people not to burn these items in closed premises, especially when air quality is poor. The World Health Organization also treats household air pollution as a major public health concern. It links exposure to harmful pollutants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and stroke.
What residents can do
The report says people need not give up every household practice, but a few changes can cut unnecessary exposure:
- Avoid burning incense sticks, dhoop and mosquito coils in closed rooms, especially when the AQI is poor or worse.
- Consider mosquito nets and suitable repellents instead of coils.
- Avoid indoor havans and unnecessary burning of camphor on high-pollution days.
- Use kitchen exhaust fans and keep the home ventilated while cooking.
- Use damp mopping instead of dry sweeping so dust does not become airborne.
- Consider a properly sized air purifier with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor particles.
The report also cautions that opening windows is not always the answer during Delhi's pollution season, since outdoor air can itself be heavily polluted.
