Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within buildings, like your home or office. Gases and particles that are released into the air by pollutants can negatively affect your indoor air quality, which in turn can negatively affect your health. Before you can improve the air quality, it is important to know what exactly are these pollutants. There are many sources of air pollutants, including:
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances – space heaters, stoves, fireplaces, water heaters
- Tobacco products
- Building materials & furniture – deteriorating asbestos insulation, new flooring or upholstery, cabinets or furniture made of wood
- Household cleaning products and personal care products
- Humidification devices
- Excess moisture
- Outdoor sources -pesticides or poor outdoor air quality
So now that we know the problem, you may be wondering how can we fix it? Well, it just takes a few simple steps.
- Keep floors clean by vacuuming and mopping with non-harsh chemicals, mopping will pick up dirt and dust left behind by the vacuum. Place floor mats at any entry-ways to prevent excess dirt from coming inside your home.
- Maintain a healthy level of humidity between 30%-50% to keep dust-mites, mold, and allergens under control. Some tips for dehumidifying: use an exhaust fan when cooking or showering, vent your clothes dryer to the outside, and fix any plumbing issues like leaks.
- If you are a smoker, at the very least try to smoke outside more frequently than not. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals and the effects of second-hand cigarette smoke are very harsh on you and the people around you.
- Reduce the use of air fresheners, laundry fresheners, and aerosol sprays. While we all like to smell good, these synthetic fragrances emit a lot of chemicals. Try switching to fragrance-free laundry products and mild cleaners, stop using air fresheners and let some fresh air in by opening up the windows.
