Terri Ramsey Beavers Poor air quality indoors has been linked to many health problems. These include asthma and even serious respiratory problems such as lung cancer. To keep the air in your home fresh and clean, here are a few steps that you can take.
Get rid of dust
A dusty home could be contributing to ‘sick building syndrome. Dust attracts dust mites – which many people can be allergic to without knowing. By regularly cleaning your home you can prevent dust from building up – this could include wiping surfaces and regular vacuuming. Two places that often attract dust that is commonly forgotten about include curtains and mattresses, so make sure to clean these locations.
Eliminate mold
Mold is a fungus that grows in dark and damp conditions. Mold spores can end up getting released in the air and can be harmful when breathed in, leading to diseases as serious as Legionnaires. For this reason, it’s key to eliminate any sources of mold. Homes that have been damaged by flooding are often prone to mold – you may want to look into disaster restoration if your home has recently been affected by flooding. Problems such as leaks and rising damp can also often lead to mold growth.
Be careful of VOCs
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals found in many paints and air fresheners. There have been strong links between VOCs and respiratory issues. For this reason, you should be careful about selecting products that may contain VOCs. Nowadays, there are lots of low-VOC and no-VOC alternatives.
Get your home tested for radon
Radon is an invisible, odorless, toxic gas that can seep up through the earth and enter homes through cracks in foundations. Radon exposure could lead to lung cancer in the long run, so it’s important to check that you are not at risk. Radon test kits can be used to test your home’s radon levels. You can usually stop radon entering your home by fixing up your foundations – or by improving ventilation.
Ventilate your home
Modern homes are very airtight, which helps to keep our homes warmer longer – but can often stop unclean air from escaping. For this reason, it’s important to keep your home ventilated. Regularly opening windows could be all that is needed to ventilate your home. Extractor fans meanwhile may be useful that face onto busy roads (to prevent dirty air getting in), as well as helping to pump out steam in rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom (helping to prevent mold). A 10 inch inline fan is also a big help in improving indoor air quality.
Grow indoor house plants
Growing indoor houseplants can have lots of benefits. Houseplants can produce a fresh source of oxygen that helps to keep your home’s air cleaner. Some plants can also act as natural dehumidifiers, helping to prevent mold, while others can act as natural air purifiers against household toxins.