Airborne contaminants such as nitric acid, carcinogenic formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, gaseous radioactive isotopes, and toxic mould spores are surprisingly common in American homes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even claims that indoor air pollution is two to five times higher than outdoor pollution in the average American house or workplace. Considering that 90% of Americans' time is spent indoors, it's easy to see why the EPA considers poor IAQ to be one of the top five environmental health hazards. Pollutants in the air we breathe at home can be dangerous, but we can take steps to reduce their concentrations. You may greatly improve the indoor air quality in your house by making a few simple adjustments. Here are ten tried-and-true methods:
1. Make sure your house has enough airflow
Construction and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) codes in the United States have become increasingly stringent since the energy crisis of the 1970s. This is done to reduce waste by preventing conditioned air from escaping the home and wasting electricity. As we hermetically seal in air, we also hermetically seal in potentially dangerous air contaminants. The only solution to this issue? Ventilation.
And this is not limited to merely throwing open a window. Many professionals advise installing a mechanical ventilation system with a capacity of.35 air changes per hour, which supplies fresh air to the entire home as well as targeted ventilation to problem areas like the kitchen and bathrooms. An ERV, or energy recovery ventilation system, is a whole-house solution that, as the name suggests, recovers up to 80% of energy wasted through ventilation.
2. Getting rid of second- and third-hand smoke at home is priority number two
Even though it's common knowledge that secondhand tobacco smoke includes over 40 carcinogens, kills thousands of non-smokers annually, and has a devastating impact on children's lung development, perhaps this discussion of third-hand smoke will finally convince you to leave the smoke outside.
Tobacco smoke's tar and other byproducts can linger on a variety of surfaces, including those touched by third-hand smokers. Tobacco-specific nitrosamines are produced when this residue combines with nitric acid, a prevalent indoor air contaminant (TSNAs). The most common routes of exposure to TSNAs from smoke residue include inhalation of dust, absorption through the skin, and ingestion. Also, ventilation is ineffective at removing this pollutant because it is largely caused by cigarette ash. In conclusion, smoking is bad for your health and should only be done outside.
3. Reduce Your Family's Exposure to Radon at Home
The radioactive gas leaks up from the ground and into buildings as a byproduct of uranium decay. Even prolonged exposure to low levels is dangerous to humans, and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking. The risk of acquiring lung cancer is increased by as much as nine times for smokers residing in homes with elevated radon levels. But whether you smoke or not, it's crucial that you take precautions against this silent killer.
To begin, you should find out if there are unsafe concentrations of the chemical in your house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends keeping radon levels in your home below 4 pCi/L, with the average being 1.3 pCi/L. If your home has high radon levels, it is recommended that you invest in a radon mitigation system ($800-$1200) installed by a professional. These systems may remove up to 99% of the radon in your home by venting the gas directly from the earth to the air outside.
4. Reducing the number of combustion by products
Any device that produces heat via combustion, such as a stove, furnace, fireplace, vehicle, etc., releases toxic pollutants that lower the quality of air within the home. Two of the most pernicious of these contaminants are:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can have fatal consequences if it is inhaled.
Inhaling Nitrous Oxide (NO2) can lead to a variety of unpleasant health effects, including irritation of the eyes and lungs, asthma attacks, bronchitis, and stunted lung growth in children.
Having an annual inspection performed by a professional on your furnace and other gas-burning equipment is a good first step toward lowering your exposure to these two dangerous gases. Keep the air circulating by venting clothes dryers outside and installing mechanical spot ventilation around stoves. Carbon monoxide detectors may be purchased for $35 to $85 and can help protect your family from dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
5 Get Rid of Extra Cleaning Supplies and Paint
Toxic VOCs can be found in a wide variety of man-made products, including plastics, pressed wood products, and synthetic fabrics. Paints, cleaning supplies, and other household chemicals are a major source of exposure. In addition to proper ventilation, limiting indoor VOC levels can be achieved simply by reducing the number of cleaning products and paints kept inside. Get rid of old cleaning supplies and store paints in a secure outdoor place.
6. Ensure Adequate Humidity
The spread of indoor contaminants can be greatly aided by the presence of high amounts of humidity in the home. Humid environments are ideal for the growth of mould and mildew, which release allergens into the air. Moreover, increasing humidity speeds up the release of volatile organic molecules. The ideal humidity level is between 30 and 50 percent. Get a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity in your home, and if it's too high, look into getting a dehumidifier.
7. Remove and prevent the spread of mould
Wet places are ideal for mould growth, although it may develop almost anyplace. When it comes to indoor air quality, mould growth and the resulting release of mould spores are bad news. Mold spores are airborne microorganisms that can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergy symptoms when breathed in. Mold can be prevented by keeping surfaces dry and by cleaning areas where it has grown with detergent.
8. Keep your heating and cooling systems in good working order
Make sure your heating and cooling systems are in top shape by having them serviced once a year. In addition, have the ducts inspected for mould growth or leaks that could allow in harmful contaminants. In addition, you should swap out the filter in your system every few months.
9. Be Cautious of Dangerous Materials in Older Properties
Properties built before 1960 frequently have been found to contain hazardous compounds that were once considered safe for use in residential construction. Two of the most common harmful contaminants in older dwellings are:
Lead was designated as "the leading environmental health concern to children in the United States" by the Department of Health and Human Services in 1991. In this way, it can hinder cognitive growth, lead to learning disabilities, and even damage the brain and spinal cord. Old, peeling paint is the primary source of lead dust in the air.
Asbestos - This very carcinogenic material was historically widely utilized as insulation in American homes, and it has been connected to devastating illnesses like lung scarring and Mesothelioma. Insulation is the most common form of asbestos in homes.
If you discover one of these in your house, what should you do? So, maybe you won't have to do anything if they're in fine shape. In other cases, it may be riskier to try to remove them, as doing so may cause a disturbance that releases even more of the harmful particles into the air. Clearing them out of the house might be the safest option, though, if they are already in a bad state or if renovations are in the works. Make careful to hire experts to assist with the removal, though.
10 Stay Away From Air Purifiers That Use Ozone
The use of ozone gas in-home air purification systems is likely to be useless and even dangerous, as it binds to ozone in the air and prevents it from removing pollutants. Despite popular belief, ozone can not effectively clean indoor air. And breathing in this gas, which is the primary cause of smog, can harm your lungs. Choose air purifiers that produce minimal levels of ozone wherever possible.
The eleventh and possibly most vital piece of advice is this: stop spending the estimated 90% of your life inside the house, the office, the mall, the automobile, etc. Perhaps this isn't a proper indoor air quality improvement suggestion, but we still believe in it. Time spent outside has many health benefits beyond just improving lung function, including lowering stress, raising mood, and enhancing the quality of sleep. You should go outside and bask in the sunshine and open air.