Better Air Quality for Your Home
Our homes are our sanctuary so we want to know that we are safe and healthy inside. An important part of that is our indoor air quality, especially since, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, “North Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. Moreover, people who are often most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution (e.g., the very young, older adults, people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease) tend to spend even more time indoors. Health effects that have been associated with indoor air pollutants include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; headaches, dizziness, and fatigue; respiratory diseases; heart disease; and cancer.” Thankfully, there are plenty of things that you can do to ensure that you have the highest quality healthy and fresh air inside your home. Here are just a few of them.
Ventilate!
This may sound simple but it’s actually key to improving your indoor air quality. Opening doors and windows or installing a ventilation system will let fresh, clean air into the home and flush out all those indoor pollutants such as fumes from cleaning products, gases emitted from paint/carpet/etc. (these are called VOCs), carbon dioxide, airborne allergens, smoke and odors from cooking and so on. The US E.P.A. recommends “increasing ventilation rates as one major strategy to combating the growing concern over poor indoor air quality.” Installing a mechanical ventilation system is the most efficient choice for a healthy home as it will work in the background creating a path of escape for the otherwise trapped pollutants and stagnant air often found in today’s modern homes and also replenishing that air with cleaner, fresher air. Providing air exchanges is a simple and economical way to improve the air inside your home. Click here to learn more about benefits of ventilation: http://ezbreathe.com/about/how-ez-breathe-works/
Choose Healthy Paints and Finishes
As anyone will tell you, it can be headache inducing or worse to live in a home that’s being painted, or that is having the floor stained or finished, thanks to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contained within standard paints and finishes. The solution here is to look for natural paint or paints and finishes that are classified as being low fume or low VOC. If this isn’t possible, try not to live in your home for the first few days after painting or finishing and be sure to air it out as much as possible. These fumes are not only toxic to inhale, but they also off-gas for days after they’ve dried, so always make sure to provide adequate ventilation when engaged in any kind of activity involving paints, varnish, epoxy, resin, etc.
Be Cautious of Your Cleaning Products
One of the biggest sources for indoor air pollutants is actually the cleaning products that you use. Just think of what an average home uses – disinfectants, detergents, deodorizers, waxes, polishes, and cleaning agents and so on. These all emit fumes and harmful chemicals that can upset the health of the people living inside. At an absolute minimum, you should ensure that your windows and doors are wide open to let the fumes dissipate. Ideally though, you will use low fume or low VOC alternatives or even better, go natural with your cleaning products, such as using vinegar and bi carb. It’s not much more work at all, and they clean just as well if not better than the commercial alternatives!
Get Rid of Mold and Mildew
A huge health hazard in the home is the presence of mold and mildew, which especially loves wet, dark areas. Mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems and other illnesses and it also just plain looks terrible. Get rid of it and you may find that you all perk up instantly! Use a solution of bleach and water or mold killer or for a natural alternative, clove oil works well. To stop the mold coming back, be sure to address the moisture issues that cause it to grow in the first place. Click here to read more on how to prevent mold from coming back: http://ezbreathe.com/benefits/moisture/
Keep Track of Pets
Pets are part of the family so it’s only natural that they spend time indoors! However, you may find that they’re soon shedding all over everything, and generally leaving a mess. Use a good vacuum cleaner to pick up all the fluff and hair and to remove dander (a potential allergen) from carpets and upholstery. Also make sure to bathe your pets regularly and to groom them outside as much as possible. Click here to learn more about allergen removal: http://ezbreathe.com/benefits/allergies-asthma/
Read more about ventilation: http://ezbreathe.com/about/how-ez-breathe-works/
