The indoor air quality in our homes is something that people rarely think about. As we spend almost 90% of our time indoors, it is important to maintain good air quality indoors to avoid negative effects on our health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality is not uncommon and can be attributed to a variety of factors including the use of synthetic fragrances, air fresheners and cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals. The high level of humidity in most homes makes it easy for these chemicals to evaporate and float in the air, where they can be inhaled by household members. In addition to synthetic fragrances, other common sources of indoor air pollution include cooking, smoking and even pets. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the amount of fuel combustion in your home and improve indoor air quality. With these steps, you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to harmful indoor air pollution by preventing harmful chemicals from entering your home.
The air in your home is circulated through a series of filters, including an air filter in your HVAC system, to remove dust, pollens and other particles from the air before it reaches your lungs. Air filters are an essential part of your HVAC system and should be changed on a regular basis. If you have a central air system, it is recommended that you change the filter once every two to three months, or as soon as the indicator light on your filter changes from green to red. If you have a ductless system, you can change your filter as often as every one to two weeks.
Lighting accounts for about 10% of the electricity used in the average American home. To reduce your home’s fuel combustion, you can reduce the amount of lighting in your home. This can be especially beneficial in the evening hours when you are using appliances and other devices that require electricity.If you have the option to replace your incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, do so. These bulbs use about 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can save you money in the long run.
Synthetic fragrances are found in a variety of common household items, including cleaning products, air fresheners and laundry detergents. Unfortunately, these products release harmful chemicals into the air, making them a frequent source of indoor air pollution.To reduce your family’s exposure to synthetic fragrances, you can switch to natural cleaning products. You may also want to consider investing in an air purifier to remove harmful pollutants from the air in your home.If you absolutely must use a synthetic fragrance in your home, make sure to open the windows when you do so to limit the amount of time you are exposed to the chemicals.
Smoking is one of the most harmful sources of indoor air pollution. In fact, a study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that smoking indoors can increase your risk of lung cancer by 86%.To reduce your family’s exposure to tobacco smoke, you can smoke outside, or use a designated smoking area in your home. You can also invest in a HEPA filter to remove harmful pollutants from the air in your home.If you’re concerned about second-hand smoke, you can also consider investing in a N95 mask to protect you from smoke.
Moisture in the air, particularly in the form of steam, can cause damage to your home’s materials, including your walls, floors and furniture. To reduce the amount of water vapor in your home, you can use a dehumidifier. You can purchase a dehumidifier at most hardware stores, or rent one from a variety of online retailers.If you have a central air system, you can also purchase a dehumidifier for your room. You can place the dehumidifier in a room that you spend the most time in, such as a bedroom or living room, to reduce the amount of moisture in the air and improve indoor air quality.
The indoor air quality in your home can be significantly improved by making a few simple changes. Start by changing your air filter on a regular basis, reducing the amount of light in your home, and eliminating synthetic fragrances from your home. You can also reduce the amount of fuel combustion in your home by smoking outside, using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air, and investing in a N95 mask to protect you from smoke. With these steps, you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to harmful indoor air pollution by preventing harmful chemicals from entering your home.
Sometimes, all it needs for a place to become unhealthy are contaminants, molds, dust, unclean air, and pests. Without the sense of cleanliness, diseases thrive inside your home creating an unhealthy environment where kids and adults contract diseases, in turn, spreading the same in the neighborhood; while affecting the rest of the community’s physical and emotional state.
To achieve a healthy living space, one must develop the need to keep their home clean and organized. Start with common places at home like the kitchen, comfort room, living room, entertainment room, and dining room. Also, consider cleaning your private spaces regularly. These are your rooms, the house library, and the nursery among others. Remember that a healthy living space is not just about what you can see, it is also what you can smell and feel that makes it healthy.
Ever felt the need to sneeze more often? Have you seen pests and insects more regularly lately? For sure, one or two people inside the household have been sick from these. If you do, then you might be in an unhealthy home. Consider keeping a close look at common triggers for asthma and the like and you will see for yourself the need to turn your homes into a more comforting place to stay.