Ok, I’ll admit that this one is a bit of a stretch as far as “tech” goes, but I felt like this was as good a place as any for a brief rundown of some health-adjacent things I’ve looked into. This won’t be a fully comprehensive dive into any particular one, just a cursory overview of my understanding so far.
Air #
Air quality is usually quantified with the air quality index (AQI), most commonly the US EPA AQI, although most other countries have their own AQI standards. My weather app shows me the AQI in my area so I use that to keep track.
There are a few global maps if you want an idea of your broader area:
If you want a dedicated sensor, you can get open-source ones from airgradient or pick up an Air Lab. If you want a fully offline monitor, Temtop has some offerings.
A lot of air purifiers on the market are also fairly pricey. I would recommend just making a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal box.
You can even elevate it to add another filter if you want to get fancy with it.
Water #
If you live in the US, you can check what your town’s tap water is like at your local water treatment plant. This shows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scores (last updated in the ’90s) and Health Guidance Level (HGL) scores. This isn’t the full story, as water can get contaminated in your pipes as well, especially if they are old. You can get your water lab tested if you are concerned and find a solution from there.
I have a Brita filter. While it catches many common contaminants, it doesn’t remove microplastics or other unwanted impurities. A reverse osmosis (RO) filter is the most effective solution, but it’s quite expensive—not only due to the initial cost but also because of the cost of replacement filters. Most RO systems require installation, though portable options are available if you’re renting.
There are also filters for shower heads, but I have not researched these in any meaningful detail.
Microplastics, Phthalates, BPA, and PFAS #
These are a family of chemicals that are ubiquitous in everyday life. To list everything that contains any one of these chemicals would be to list everything that could possibly exist within a household. Elimination of all these particulates is impossible as an individual, but you can work to decrease exposure.
These chemicals are most likely to leech out when exposed to heat, and most readily enter the body when eating or drinking. Some steps I take to mitigate these risks are:
- Avoiding heating food in plastic containers
- Using stainless steel cookware instead of non-stick coated cookware
- Avoiding tea bags with plastic in them