Indoor air pollutants in your home can have an impact on your health, with symptoms ranging from eye, ear and nose irritation to headaches and dizziness. If you spend more time indoors over the winter, now might be a good time to have a quick look at the air quality in your home. Potential Air Quality Issues
You can look around yourself and identify many of the potential sources of air pollution. If you’re concerned that you may have an air quality issue, both at-home and professional testing are available. Sources that release gasses or particles into the air cause most home air quality issues. Paints, thinners, glues, cleaning products, newly installed flooring, and some pressed wood products can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds - gasses) into the air that can be harmful over time. Excess moisture - leaks, wet spots, and high humidity - can cause mold and bacteria to grow. Pets, dust, tobacco products, deteriorated asbestos insulation, and your ventilation system can release irritating particles into the air. Combustion of oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, or tobacco releases gasses and particles. Outdoor sources like outdoor air pollution, pesticides, and radon can infiltrate your home as well.
Simple Ways to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
There’s a lot you can do to improve the air quality in your home with just a little thought and care.
Move VOC- containing items like paints, thinners, and glues from the house to the garage or an area with good ventilation. Consider safer, non toxic cleaning products, paints, and glues. Limit the scented items in your home. DIY outdoors if you can. Always ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area when using products with warning labels that indicate ventilation is needed. Use exhaust fans for bathrooms, kitchens, and any other high-moisture areas. Eliminate leaking pipes or roofs and areas with pooling water. Inspect air ducts for proper installation and to keep them clean. Change air conditioning and furnace filters regularly, as well as vacuum filters and air cleaner filters. Keep vents for clothes dryers and kitchen fans clean. Clean moldy surfaces with a bleach cleaner and remove moldy carpeting, drywall, and items that can’t be cleaned. Get professional help if needed. If fighting allergies, vacuum and dust regularly, use HEPA filters and replace those regularly, choose hypoallergenic pillows and impermeable mattress covers, and brush and bathe your pet regularly
And always, consult a professional if you have concerns you need help addressing. | |
