Home Air Pollution

What Makes Your Indoor Air Filthy

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Check out our list of common indoor air pollutants and what can be done to improve the air quality inside your home.

1. Test your home for radon:

Did you know the leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking was exposure to radon? The dangers of lead poisoning are well known and houses no longer contain lead paint but only a few states regulate radon, which is a radioactive gas that you can't smell or taste. "Radon is a concern" said Bob Moffitt of the American Lung Association's Health House, "it's a very serious contaminant." Moffat suggests you have your home tested for radon. It can either be test with a self done test or by a professional. "Its simple, its easy and the only way to know if you have to take action" Moffitt said.

Clean our your clothes dryer's exhaust pipe:


Not only should you be cleaning lint buildup in your filter but you should clean out your dryer's exhaust pipe or vent. A vent that is cracked or clogged or does not vent outside your home will add between one to two gallons of moisture to the air inside your home for each load of laundry you do. This excess moisture not only causes rotting of materials and mildew but promotes the growth of harmful bacteria in your home. To protect your home and family, update your dryer vent frequently.


Run a bathroom fan before and after you shower:


Adequate ventilation such as an exhaust fan will help you avoid condensation in the bathroom but it should not be shut off once you get out of the shower. To control condensation and mold, which thrive on your shower tiles and behind your toilet, run the exhaust fan in your bathroom for at least 30 minutes after you shower. Also to prevent mold and moisture from forming on surfaces throughout your house run an exhaust fan to send moisture out or keep a fan moving wherever humid air may trap dust and dampness. "Controlling the humidity in your home is important" said Moffitt. "It will take care of mold and mildew and will help avoid things like cockroaches and dust mites which like a very humid environment."


Your air purifier doesn't have a HEPA filter:


Air purifiers are meant to filter out bacteria, dust and reduce air pollutants from your home but some don't come equipped with a HEPA filter or a "high efficiency particle air" filter. HEPA filters are ideal for those who are allergic to tiny air particles because HEPA filters trap a large amount of small particles in your home and can significantly reduce or eliminate those particles to make air cleaner for your home.


Change your vacuum bag before it's full:


If your vacuum contains a bag make sure you check your user manual to determine your machines maintenance needs. Generally vacuum cleaner bags need to be changed or emptied frequently depending on how much you vacuum. A bag that's full of dirt, dust and other particles will be inefficient and may even emit dirt and dust back into the air. In order to deposit less dirt back into the air try throwing away the bag when its full. Also, if your vacuum cleaner has a filter you may need to replace it or clean it every month.


Don't let your car warm up in the garage:


Even if you have your garage door open it's still dangerous to warm up your car in the garage because when you open your house door into your garage not only will you leak fumes into your house but deadly carbon monoxide. "Never ever let your car warm up in garage especially an attached garage" Moffitt warned. That's because the air pressure in your house and your garage is different and once you open to door to your home the air will get sucked up and accumulates and the fumes will get you sick.


You Have a Mold Problem:


Mold can be found practically anywhere in your house as long as moisture and oxygen are present. If mold remains undiscovered or unaddressed it can become a problem for your air quality especially if excessive amounts of mold accumulate. Mold may cause breathing problems and can become a problem especially for people with allergies and asthma. The EPA provides the necessary guidelines to remove mold in your home.


Change your furnace filters regularly:


Having an efficient furnace filter is a primary defense against indoor air quality problems. Cleaning or changing your furnace filter and removing the large dirt and dust particles will not only improve the air in your home but will prolong the life of your heating system. Clean filters will reduce allergen and respiratory problems so it's important to change or clean the filter every month. If you have a flourished air system, a traditional furnace with duct work, Moffitt suggest you use the best furnace filter you can get. Anything with a MERV or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value that is a 10 or higher will work. "The cheap cotton candy looking filters do almost nothing for air quality" he said, "you need something pleated like an accordion or has MERV."


You Don't Air Out Your Dry Cleaning:

Dry cleaning your clothes may get them pressed, steamed and cleaned far better than an ordinary Laundromat but the fluids most cleaners use produce toxic fumes and can increase your risk of cancer. Perchloroethylene (also known as PERC) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid that may affect your nervous system and make you dizzy, fatigued or induce headaches and sweating. Moffitt suggests you air your un-bagged dry cleaning garments outside of your house for a day or two to let it off gas before putting it in your closet. "Don't bring anything into your house that has volatile organic compounds" Moffitt warns. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals, some of which are used in dry-cleaned clothing.

Firewood:


Wood smoke is a problem you may not even think is making your air filthy. It contains over 100 pollutants that not only negatively impact the environment but are liked to numerous health problems. When burned, both treated and untreated logs release harmful gases and emit tiny particles into the air that get into your bloodstream and lungs. According to Clean Air Online the burning of treated and salvaged wood "causes the formation of dioxins, furans and other extremely toxic substances." Also, storing wood inside your home may cause mould and mildew to develop. You should keep your chimney clean, use a variety of different woods and only bring wood into your house that you're using for the day.