Living next to motorway

[user1456136329]

Heya...

To cut a long story short we have just purchased a house with a motorway in very close proximity (basically running behind the house). The noise didn't seem so bad on viewings but I now realise that we have made a huge mistake (but that's another story!!)

While googling soundproofing ideas articles kept popping up of pollution and the fact that children who live within 200metres of the motorway generally have underdeveloped lungs, Asthma, and even their chances of cancer go up. I feel so stupid that I didn't think of pollution or its effects before moving!!

Obviously this has just confirmed that we've made a terrible mistake but there's no way we can afford to move for at least 2 years due to early repayment and using al our savings on stamp duty etc

So I guess the question is, does anyone live near or next to a motorway or busy road and noticed any health effects on their children?? I keep getting told I am being paranoid and not to read the internet but I am now obsessed. Does a air purifier help?

Just want some experiences from other families living close to a motorway or similar?!

No reprimands please as I honestly feel terrible right now and like I have put my child at risk :( he's 3 and I'm also pregnant due to Sept....

[MattDillonsPants]

Plants OP....fill the house with them. There are many which remove pollution effectively.

Read this to begin with

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study

As you say, there's not much you can do now other than reduce the risk. That link is to a NASA study on plants and which remove what.

[MattDillonsPants]

To begin with because some on the list are hard to get I expect, get some spider plants. THey're well known for their pollution zapping properties.

[fortheloveofvintage]

Funnily enough I have just bought a large dracaena marginata plant after doing some research last night... It was the same study that I found online. Going to put it in my sons room and maybe buy an air filter too (although the apparently plants are better with toxins like benzene unless you buy a super duper expensive filter)

And hope that when our fixed rate ends in 2 years we can sell to someone else silly enough to buy on a main road and move somewhere quieter! I'm willing to live somewhere more rundown for the sake of quiet and fresh air...

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Im gonna go and get that plant I think, thanks for tip
However it's not for sleeping with it as in the night they don't release oxygen they do the opposite

[fortheloveofvintage]

So should I remove at night? Do u live next to a busy road? Xx

[AnotherTimeMaybe]

Yes if it's not too big to carry just remove it every evening. But does he spend time in his bedroom in the day? Maybe if you put it in the living room?
I remember my sister used to sleep with a plant in her room and after 3 days she woke up with black stuff coming out of her nose, not sure what that was probably carbon dioxide , not sure though X

[fortheloveofvintage]

Oh dear! I actually drive my husband to work at about 8.30 and we are out of the house for most of the day. I was thinking That maybe if the plant was in his room during the day it would purify the air a little bit for bedtime?? Not sure how it all actually works though... X

[em9283]

OP can I ask how you got on with this? I am in a very similar situation and kicking myself x

[IncyWincySpiderOnRepeat]

You can sometimes "port" an existing fixed rate mortgage, i.e move it to another property. Might be worth a read of your mortgage t's & c's as could potentially mean you are able to move again sooner than 2 years. I know savings for stamp duty & legals etc are probably an issue but just something to keep in mind...

[Junglefowl]

I have had this worry and bought an air purifier from John Lewis. I also bought peace lilies as they were on a top 10 list of plants that cleanse air. I also agree that planting dense plants to block the pollution can make a huge difference

[em9283]

Do you live near a busy road? How do you find it? I'm terrified dd is going to get some illness x

[Junglefowl]

Sorry I missed this question- yes we do as by a busy dual carriageway and DC always seem extremely well and never get colds even when those around them do. I honestly don't worry but we are set slightly back and I don't smell the exhaust the way did in the city. Do you have any plants that can separate your house and protect it from the road? We have dense hedge and bamboo especially to do this and I never worry when in the garden, nor smell any fumes