Salt lamps: A natural solution for cleaner indoor air
By dominguez // 2025-06-21
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  • Indoor air pollution can be more toxic than outdoor air, contributing to respiratory illnesses, heart disease and cancer.
  • Salt lamps emit negative ions that bind to pollutants (dust, mold, bacteria, etc.), reducing airborne irritants.
  • Fine particulate matter worsens cardiovascular and respiratory issues and contributes to metabolic diseases.
  • Salt therapy (halotherapy) works by helping thin mucus, easing breathing for asthma and COPD sufferers.
  • Combining salt lamps with air purifiers, houseplants and ventilation can improve indoor air quality effectively.
Indoor air pollution is a growing health concern, with studies showing that the air inside homes and offices can be more toxic than outdoor air — especially in urban areas. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences warns that indoor pollutants from heating systems, cleaning products and building materials can contribute to respiratory illnesses, heart disease and even cancer. But one ancient remedy — salt lamps — is gaining attention as a natural way to purify indoor air. These decorative lamps, which emit negative ions, may help counteract harmful particles while adding a calming glow to living spaces.

Indoor air pollution poses a threat to health

While outdoor air quality often dominates public health discussions, indoor environments can harbor higher concentrations of pollutants. According to a study published in the Frontiers in Endocrinology, air pollution is "an important modifiable risk factor for significantly increased morbidity and mortality." Particulate matter (PM), in particular, greatly impacts health and exerts many deleterious effects on the human cardiovascular system. Clinical studies show that short- and long-term exposure to PM—tiny solid and liquid particles (e.g., dust, smoke, liquid droplets, etc.) found in the air — is linked to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular issues such as ischemic heart disease, heart failure and ischemic/thrombotic stroke. PM2.5, which refers to fine inhalable particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, has been found to endanger the hearts of older adults by contributing to oxidative stress and inflammation. Meanwhile, a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine revealed that fine PM indoors worsens heart health in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PM has also been identified as a dangerous endocrine disruptor that contributes to the development of metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes.

How salt lamps work

Historically, halotherapy, or salt therapy, was used in natural salt caves and coastal regions to treat respiratory ailments. Today, salt lamps have found their use in modern homes, leveraging the same mineral benefits in a convenient, aesthetically pleasing form. (Related: Do you know how to tell if your Himalayan salt lamp is real?) Salt lamps are carved from natural salt crystals and fitted with a light source—either a bulb or candle—that warms the salt, allowing it to release negative ions into the air. These ions bind to positively charged pollutants like dust, mold and bacteria, weighing them down so they can't linger in the air. According to research, inhaling salt-infused air can improve respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD. People suffering from asthma or COPD cough sputum, a thick mixture of saliva and mucus. Salt lamps can help give them relief by reducing mucus in the airways. "When fine salt particles are inhaled, they will fall on the airway linings and draw water into the airway, thinning the mucus and making it easier to raise, thus making people feel better," explains Dr. Norman Edelman, senior scientific advisor to the American Lung Association. A single salt lamp can increase negative ions in a room, mimicking the air-purifying effects of forests or ocean breezes. While salt lamps aren't a standalone solution, they can be part of a broader strategy to improve indoor air quality. Experts recommend combining them with houseplants, high-quality air purifiers and proper ventilation to combat indoor air pollution. As awareness of indoor air pollution grows, salt lamps present a natural, visually appealing option to enhance air quality. Backed by historical use and emerging research, they serve as a reminder that some of the best health solutions are rooted in nature. Whether used for their purported benefits or simply their warm ambiance, salt lamps are lighting the way to cleaner, healthier living spaces. Pollution.news has more stories like this. Learn how indoor air quality impacts your lungs by watching the video below. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ways to keep your indoor air clean when there's wildfire smoke in your area. Why every home should have a Himalayan salt lamp. Greener and cleaner: Can "green" roofs planted with vegetation minimize indoor air pollution? Sources include: NaturalHealth365.com NIEHS.NIH.gov FrontiersIn.org ScienceDirect.com ATSJournals.org Lung.org Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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