Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

​Did you know indoor air can be worse than outdoor air, and allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are linked to poor indoor air quality and indoor air pollutants?

Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces

Did you know indoor air can be worse than outdoor air, and allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems are linked to poor indoor air quality and pollutants? 
Indoor air quality problems include odors, stale or stuffy air, excessive humidity, or lack of air movement.  You may have a problem or potential if you see mold or mildew, damaged flue pipes or chimneys, dirty or faulty heating, venting, and air conditioning systems.  Additional signs are health symptoms.  i.e., Suppose you have consistent allergies, stuffy nose, headaches, sinus issues, or coughs and feel noticeably better when outside. In that case, you might have what is known as sick building syndrome (when the building’s environment makes you sick).
You can control and manage the air quality in your home!  You can implement the following suggestions to improve air quality in your home.

• Eliminate as Many Toxins as Possible - cleaners, aerosol cans, particular air fresheners, and other household chemicals release toxins into the air.  Cigarette smoke and wood-burning fires also put harmful toxins into the air. Work on eliminating the problem by:
  • Cleaning and dusting regularly.
  • Remove dust and animal dander.
  • Open windows when you clean (eliminate allergens, dust particles, and toxins).
    
    
• Keep a Healthy Level of Humidity - researchers say 50% relative humidity is the best-case scenario for indoor air.  High humidity is bad for indoor air quality and fosters mold, mildew, and rot.  Dust mites, insects, pests, and cockroaches thrive in humid environments.  Controlling moisture is a great way to avoid these issues.
  
  
• Waterproof Your Basement or Crawlspace - controlling moisture creates a healthy, dry environment below grade.  Mold and mildew do not stay in one place.  If it is present and left unattended, it will spread and wreak havoc on the house and your health.
  
  
• Test for Radon - a naturally occurring gas from decaying uranium in the soil.  It is the number two cause of lung cancer and the leading cause for nonsmokers.  It is found in every state and every soil type.  Because it is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, the only way to know if you have harmful radon levels is to test for it.  It is crucial to test for radon, and if you find unhealthy levels of radon gas (if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher), have a contractor install a radon mitigation system to eliminate the problem.
  
  
• Circulate Air - maintain good fresh air with natural and mechanical air circulation.  Because homes are built tighter these days, we need to make it a point to circulate with mechanical ventilating systems and by opening a window.  Do not forget to use the exhaust fan while you cook to avoid noxious vapors, grease, and smoke staying in the air.