You and your family spend a lot of time in your home; therefore, it is very important to pay close attention to your indoor air quality. Young children, the elderly, and those with asthma need to live in a house free of pollutants and allergens because they are sensitive to them. Even those who are not particularly sensitive may develop health conditions in the later years after repeated exposure. For this reason, you need to find ways to reduce irritants and allergens inside your home.
You need to understand that the air inside your house may be polluted by fire-retardants, volatile chemicals, formaldehyde, mold and mildew particles, and pest allergens. Thankfully, there are equipments and machines that can help clean indoor air; however, you also need to take added precautions. Here’s what you need to do.
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Control Moisture: When there is moisture in your home, it can result in mold and mildew growth. This will then lead to health hazards ranging from allergic reactions, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and asthma attacks. Excess moisture at home can be from leaks in the roof, water damage in the basement, plumbing problems, and humid air moving from the inside or the outside into the walls. Here’s how you can control moisture in your home:
- Provide proper ventilation
- Air-sealing
- Use dehumidifier, especially in the basement
- Prevent soil moisture from entering the property through crawlspaces.
Pest Control: The professional exterminators of Rove Pest Control warns you and other homeowners that pests, such as cockroaches, bed bugs, and rodents, have been associated with asthma and allergies. The waste material of roaches and rodents once dried will release allergens in the air causing allergic reactions and asthma symptoms. Unfortunately, if you try to eliminate these pests using chemical pesticides, it will still pollute the air.
Thankfully, there are available pest control methods that don’t rely on toxic chemicals. For one, you should know that these pests seek air, moisture, food, and shelter. The best way to control pests is to prevent them from entering your house. You can do this by removing the elements they need to survive.
Get Rid Of Dust: You should also control the dust and dirt in your home to improve your indoor air quality. You need to know that chemicals and allergens can collect in household dust. You can use a vacuum with a HEPA filter that can lower concentration of lead in your home. The filter will keep the dust and dirt from escaping through the exhaust. With this type of vacuum, you can also get rid of toxins, such as fire-retardant chemicals, and other allergens like dust mites and pollens. When vacuuming, you should focus on the walls, carpet edges, and upholstered pieces of furniture.
Proper Ventilation: Another way to improve your indoor air quality is through proper ventilation. Good ventilation will protect you and your family from pollutants and possibly dangerous gases. This will also prevent mold growth which causes allergic reactions and respiratory problems. A simple method of allowing proper ventilation and letting the air circulate is by opening your windows to let fresh air inside. You should also turn on the exhaust fan while you cook. Otherwise, the grease, smoke, and vapor will be released into the air and linger inside your home.
Clean Filters: You should periodically check and replace the filters of your heating and cooling system. Doing so will help reduce the contaminants in the air. You should also consider installing an electrostatic filter. This device uses an electric charge to catch more airborne particles and allergens than traditional filters.
Citations:
- Image courtesy of xedos4/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Author Bio Box:
Kris Lim has been writing about a wide range of topics, including health and wellness topics, for online publishing for more than two years. In this article, she lists a few tips for improving indoor air quality at home.
