Recent advance to control indoor air pollution
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The majority of people perceive air pollution to be something only experienced outdoors. However, it has been established that much of the toxic and air polluting substances found outdoors are equally indoors. Be it in the car, at home or the workplace, the air polluting substances are present and can seriously impacts people’s health if the air quality is not kept as clean as recommended.
Aerosol sprays, dusty furniture, scented candles, pet shedding, dust mites and air fresheners are a few examples of indoor air pollutant sources. The good news is that indoor air pollution is easily manageable provided the indoor environment is kept clean and free of the polluting substances
1. Use polishes and hair sprays in well-ventilated areas. The use of polishing substances such as varnish, nail polish, and hair sprays should be done outdoors where there is free flow of air. If these activities have to be done indoors, it has to be well ventilated because they release volatile organic compounds associated with a myriad of health consequences such as lung problems and cancer.
2. Make sure your gas stove is well-ventilated. While cooking at home, it is important to ensure the gas stove is well ventilated to limit the production of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons produced due to incomplete combustion. These gases are not healthy indoors and pose serious health risks in the long-term.
3. Install exhaust hoods or fans in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce humidity. Humid air in the kitchen and bathroom increases the exposure of the indoor occupants to mold and mildew. Molds carry tiny particles that can enter the body and result in serious illness such as colds, persistent coughs, and even fungal infections. The installation of exhaust hoods and fans in the kitchen and bathroom will help reduce exposure.
4. Ensure that the entire house, office or the car is properly ventilated. Proper ventilation ensures free flow of fresh air indoors, but poor ventilation allows pollutants to accumulate indoors.
5. Avoid smoking indoors. Smoking indoors lead to the accumulation of smoke and toxic substances which seriously impacts indoor air quality. Smoke is associated with numerous cancer causing substances including other toxic elements that are not good for the overall human health. Quitting smoking is the best solution because it ensures improved overall health. Nonetheless, smoking indoors or in the car should be totally disallowed.
6. Before the use of the fireplace, ensure the flue damper is fully open. This simply reduces the accumulation of small dust and smoke particles from the fireplace. It also prevents the release of carbon monoxide often emitted due to incomplete combustion.
7. Get rid of odors; don’t mask them. Most people usually try to avoid indoor odors by masking them with artificial fragrances and air fresheners. It simply worsens the problem because the artificial fragrance or air fresheners contain VOCs and phthalates which can harm your health even more. Instead, find the source of the odors and eliminate, and clean the area with homemade cleaners or with baking soda.
8. Manage critters. Keeping food away and sealing cracks is important because it will keep out pests and insects. This will reduce the need to use pesticides and other critter elimination chemicals. It improves indoor air quality by reducing exposure to toxic substances from the artificially manufactured products to manage critters.
9. Cleaning and dusting should be thorough. Dust can carry bacteria, mold, pet dander, mites, mildew and pollen. Thorough cleaning is highly recommended for improving indoor air quality as it eliminates these substances. Dusting and cleaning should be done using environmentally friendly dusting/cleaning detergents or equipment.
10. Minimize clutter. By minimizing clutter, it is easier to manage the accumulation of dust that carry bacteria, mold, mites and fungi which significantly reduces indoor air pollution from these sources.
11. Remove carpeting if possible. Carpets act as a harbor for small dust particles and pet dander which increases indoor air pollution. The dust particles from carpets are associated with chronic lung problems such as asthma and persistent coughs. Removing the carpeting is a sure way of reducing indoor air pollution.
12. Make homemade cleaners. The majority of the artificially produced home cleaning agents are filled with environmentally unfriendly chemicals that may cause respiratory problems or asthma. Nowadays, there are very simple processes of making homemade cleaners. Sites such as DIY can prove helpful for those who want to take this path in order to reduce indoor ai
Aerosol sprays, dusty furniture, scented candles, pet shedding, dust mites and air fresheners are a few examples of indoor air pollutant sources. The good news is that indoor air pollution is easily manageable provided the indoor environment is kept clean and free of the polluting substances
1. Use polishes and hair sprays in well-ventilated areas. The use of polishing substances such as varnish, nail polish, and hair sprays should be done outdoors where there is free flow of air. If these activities have to be done indoors, it has to be well ventilated because they release volatile organic compounds associated with a myriad of health consequences such as lung problems and cancer.
2. Make sure your gas stove is well-ventilated. While cooking at home, it is important to ensure the gas stove is well ventilated to limit the production of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons produced due to incomplete combustion. These gases are not healthy indoors and pose serious health risks in the long-term.
3. Install exhaust hoods or fans in the kitchen and bathroom to reduce humidity. Humid air in the kitchen and bathroom increases the exposure of the indoor occupants to mold and mildew. Molds carry tiny particles that can enter the body and result in serious illness such as colds, persistent coughs, and even fungal infections. The installation of exhaust hoods and fans in the kitchen and bathroom will help reduce exposure.
4. Ensure that the entire house, office or the car is properly ventilated. Proper ventilation ensures free flow of fresh air indoors, but poor ventilation allows pollutants to accumulate indoors.
5. Avoid smoking indoors. Smoking indoors lead to the accumulation of smoke and toxic substances which seriously impacts indoor air quality. Smoke is associated with numerous cancer causing substances including other toxic elements that are not good for the overall human health. Quitting smoking is the best solution because it ensures improved overall health. Nonetheless, smoking indoors or in the car should be totally disallowed.
6. Before the use of the fireplace, ensure the flue damper is fully open. This simply reduces the accumulation of small dust and smoke particles from the fireplace. It also prevents the release of carbon monoxide often emitted due to incomplete combustion.
7. Get rid of odors; don’t mask them. Most people usually try to avoid indoor odors by masking them with artificial fragrances and air fresheners. It simply worsens the problem because the artificial fragrance or air fresheners contain VOCs and phthalates which can harm your health even more. Instead, find the source of the odors and eliminate, and clean the area with homemade cleaners or with baking soda.
8. Manage critters. Keeping food away and sealing cracks is important because it will keep out pests and insects. This will reduce the need to use pesticides and other critter elimination chemicals. It improves indoor air quality by reducing exposure to toxic substances from the artificially manufactured products to manage critters.
9. Cleaning and dusting should be thorough. Dust can carry bacteria, mold, pet dander, mites, mildew and pollen. Thorough cleaning is highly recommended for improving indoor air quality as it eliminates these substances. Dusting and cleaning should be done using environmentally friendly dusting/cleaning detergents or equipment.
10. Minimize clutter. By minimizing clutter, it is easier to manage the accumulation of dust that carry bacteria, mold, mites and fungi which significantly reduces indoor air pollution from these sources.
11. Remove carpeting if possible. Carpets act as a harbor for small dust particles and pet dander which increases indoor air pollution. The dust particles from carpets are associated with chronic lung problems such as asthma and persistent coughs. Removing the carpeting is a sure way of reducing indoor air pollution.
12. Make homemade cleaners. The majority of the artificially produced home cleaning agents are filled with environmentally unfriendly chemicals that may cause respiratory problems or asthma. Nowadays, there are very simple processes of making homemade cleaners. Sites such as DIY can prove helpful for those who want to take this path in order to reduce indoor ai
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