How to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home

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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Believe it or not, the air within modern homes can be up to five times more polluted than outside air. When you also take into account that we can spend up to ninety percent of our lives inside, the term sick building syndrome should need little explanation.

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

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

If you discover that the symptoms fade when you are in the open air, try to discover inside air sources that may be possible causes and try to get rid of them. As luck would have it, indoor air pollution is one health risk that you can do something about.

Here are a number of simple steps you can take to better the air quality in your house.

No Smoking Indoors

Ideally, you should ban smoking anywhere within the house but if this is not possible, endeavour to confine it to one place. In our case, if friends or family, who are also smokers, call, they are either banished to the back yard or the kitchen area. If you have an extractor fan installed in the kitchen, make sure that it is turned on and endeavour to have smokers stand as close as possible to the fan so that the fumes get drawn out.

Ventilate Regularly

Provided that it is not freezing cold or blowing a gale outside, let some outside air in by opening your windows and doors every now and then. Doing so will also remove some of the pollutants that have built up within your house. Make good use of kitchen and bathroom extractor fans. Clean and check the fan and any vents regularly and clean or replace any filters that may be fitted.

Use Natural Home Cleaning Products

If you have ever taken the time to study the labels on household cleaning products, most of them will include a warning about how harmful the chemicals are for your health or skin. Every time you use that product, fumes from whatever is in the bottle get released into the air for you to breathe in. How is it that some well known anti bacterial cleaners start your eyes watering and bring on a coughing fit. Personally, I have taken the eco-friendly approach to household cleaning. Bicarbonate Of Soda, washing soda crystals, white vinegar and pure lemon juice will work wonders for the majority of cleaning tasks. They are not only cheaper but they also do not release any toxic fumes into your house.

Keep you Home Clean and free of dust

Although it might 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 around 70% of dust within the home comprises of dead skin which we humans continually shed. Dust mites in turn feed upon this dead skin that falls from our bodies. They then grow and shed their own skin and it is this together with their feces that causes allergic reactions in people.

Pet Dander Triggers Allergic Reactions

If you have a family pet, they will shed dander that can spark allergic reactions and asthma. Something needs to be done if you suspect that either you or another family member are allergic to pet dander. The ideal solution is to keep pets out of the home completely. If that is not a feasible option, you should restrict the number of rooms that the pets are permitted to go into and definitely keep them out of the bedroom.

Reduce Inside Air Humidity

Living in a wet clime or an area of high humidness can both result in moisture levels in the house increasing dramatically. A consequence of excessive moisture is the growth of mold and mildew. For anyone with extreme allergic reactions, mold spores are as bad, if not worse, than dust. For that reason, a home dehumidifier can be essential. An air purifier dehumidifier will draw dampness from the air and into a water tank which you can then remove and pour away.

Invest in a Home Air Purifier

Home air purifiers are units that clean indoor air of allergens, such as mold spores, pollen and pet dander. They are especially useful if you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma because they can reduce airborne contaminants by a substantial amount. Air purifiers and room air cleaners are quickly increasing in popularity because they make indoor air healthier and cleaner. However, there are several types of air purifier, some of which can actually make allergies worse instead of better.

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