Solutions to Indoor Air Pollution

October 2nd, 2008 by admin

It may suprise you to know that air pollution levels inside the modern home can be two to five times greater than the levels outdoors. Combining that with the fact that the average person can spend up to ninety percent of their time inside, it will come as no suprise that the term Sick Building Syndrome has become a new byword in the English language.

Inside pollutants like dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, mold spores and pollen tend to be continually recycled which ultimately means that folks who suffer from allergy induced asthma are making their condition worse by being inside.

There are a number of symptoms associated with so called sick building syndrome including stuffy nose, watery or itchy eyes, head aches, lethargy, lack of concentration and nausea.Â However, since several of these symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, it is not always easy to to decide if indoor pollution is the cause or if it is because of some type of viral infection.

If you notice that the symptoms fade when you outside, an effort should be made to discover indoor air sources which may be possible causes and attempt to eliminate them. Fortunately, indoor air pollution is one health hazard that you can do something about.

Here are several tips for improving inside air quality in your home.

Banish Smoking Inside the House

Ideally, you should ban smoking anywhere within the house but if this is not possible, try to confine it to one place. In our case, any friends or family that visit are restricted to the kitchen area or the back garden if they want to smoke. In the kitchen, an extractor fan drives the smoky air outside as it does with cooking odors.

Let the Bad Air Out

Weather permitting, you should open windows and doors in order to lower the concentrations of inside pollutants while letting outside air to come in. If you have bathroom or kitchen extractor fans, use them on a regular basis. You should also routinely clean the vents in the extractors and make sure they function properly.

Use Natural Home Cleaning Products

If you have ever taken the time to understand the labels on home cleaning products, the majority of them will include a warning about how bad the chemicals are for your health or skin. As soon as you use that product, a lot of those chemicals go into the air, the fumes of which are inhaled. I have quite often started coughing after spraying counter tops with so called anti-bacterial cleaner. Personally, I have taken the eco-friendly route to home cleaning. Baking soda, washing soda crystals, white vinegar and pure lemon juice will work wonders for the majority of cleaning jobs. They are not only cheaper but they also do not release any toxic fumes into your home.

Keep you House Clean and free of dust

Even though it may seem obvious to some folks, regularly vacuuming your carpets and flooring can go a long way in controlling airborne allergens and dust. Did you know that approximately seventy percent of dust within the home comprises of dead skin which we humans continually shed. Dust mites successively feed on this dead skin that falls from our bodies. They then grow and shed their own skin and it is this and their faeces that causes allergic reactions in folks.

Pet Dander Allergic Reactions

If you have a family pet, they will molt dander that can spark allergies and asthma attacks. If you suspect that you or a family member may be allergic to your family pet, action needs to be taken. Ideally, it is better to keep pets out of the house completely although that is seldom possible. As a possible alternative, try and restrict the rooms that the pet is allowed into. One definite area to keep them out of is the bedroom.

Reduce Inside Air Humidity

Living in a wet climate or an area of high humidity can both result in moisture levels in the house rising dramatically. This excessive moisture or humidity is the ideal breeding conditions for mold. For anybody with allergies, mold spores can cause as many health problems as airborne dust. Dehumidifiers can be a godsend in a humid environment since they are capable of removing excess dampness from the surrounding air, thereby keeping mold and the resulting spores at bay.

Get an Indoor Air Purifier

Home air purifiers or room air cleaners do as their name suggests and clean the air of pollutants and allergens like mold spores, pollen, cigarette smoke and pet dander.Â They are especially useful if you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma since they can reduce airborne contaminants by a considerable amount.Â Indoor air purifiers have become very popular over recent years because they are able to clean the air in your home while making it a lot healthier to breathe in. Nevertheless, there are several types of air purification technologies, some of which may not be suitable in all situations.