When we think about air pollution, the images that are probably conjured up are freeways, busy with cars, crowded city streets, or even things like people smoking. However, one of the worst places for air quality could actually be inside your home, and you might not even be aware of all the potential triggers there are.
This might sound very worrying but fear not. There are lots of practical tips and advice for making the air that your family breathes at home much purer and safer. With a little time and effort, you’ll all start to notice the difference (and the benefits).
Identifying the most common indoor air pollutants
Two things the body requires to carry out all of its functions are clean water and fresh air. Some everyday items we all have in our homes that can cause toxic air quality include detergents, paints and cosmetic and grooming products like hairsprays. Scented candles that are not made from soy wax are often major causes of air pollution in the home, as well.
Other issues can occur from problems like damp and mold, and poorly running or badly maintained appliances such as fires, boilers, and air conditioners.
Babies, toddlers, and children are often more vulnerable to these issues because they’re not only indoors more often, but their respiratory systems aren’t fully developed. Just by living in an environment that is too hot, too cold or riddled with damp can really increase a risk of developing health problems. Children exposed to damp or impure air are twice as likely to develop asthma or other breathing difficulties.
Furniture, home furnishing, and even carpets and flooring can sometimes cause problems with indoor air quality. In fact, furniture purchased before the year 2006 is likely to contain PBDEs. These are chemicals that were used as flame retardants and often emit toxins into the air.
Improving indoor air quality at home
Firstly, the most important step is to make sure your home is ventilated properly. Keep windows on a vent setting as often as you can. This may not always be possible if you live in a highly populated and polluted area, so there are other measures you can take if this is the case.
Making sure all home appliances such as boilers, air conditioners or HVAC units are properly maintained, or replacing them with energy-efficient models with higher SEER/AFUE ratings will really help.
Another excellent device that could be worth investing in is a humidistat to improve air quality at home. This automatically ventilates your home when it detects high moisture levels and can be a boon if your home has a damp or mold problem. If your budget allows, try investing in a HEPA or other quality air filter for your home. To meet industry standards these must remove 99.97% of any particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
Cleaning your home
When cleaning your home, never ‘just’ use a dry duster. Instead, opt for damp microfibre cloths to collect up the dust and remove it properly. These can then be washed in the washing machine to keep them spick and span.
If using cleaning products, try to always opt for the least ‘chemical-based’ offerings. Think about using more eco-friendly things to clean with. Replace traditional furniture polishes in a spray with beeswax and a microfibre cloth. Invest in a steam cleaner to take on tasks such as cleaning the loo.
Indoor air pollution is something that can be tackled quickly and effectively with a little know-how.