Although it may be hard to believe that air pollution levels within the modern home can be two to five times higher than the levels outdoors. Combine that with the fact that the average person can spend upwards of ninety percent of their time inside, is it any wonder that the term Sick Building Syndrome has become a new adage in the English language.
Inside pollutants such as dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, mold spores and pollen tend to be continually recycled which ultimately means that folks who suffer from asthma attacks are making their condition worse by being indoors.
There are various symptoms connected with so called sick building syndrome including sinus congestion, watery or itchy eyes, head aches, lethargy, lack of concentration and sickness. Certain immediate effects are akin to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution.
If you discover that the symptoms fade when you are in the open air, an effort should be made to identify inside air sources that may be possible causes and attempt to eliminate them. As luck would have it, indoor air pollution is one health hazard that you can do something about.
Here are seven tips for improving indoor air quality in your house.
Do Not Smoke Indoors
Although this may sound obvious, you should effectively ban smoking inside your house or at the least confine it to one room. In our case, any friends or family that visit are limited to the kitchen area or the back garden if they want to smoke. In the kitchen, an extractor fan drives the smoky air outside as it does with cooking smells.
Open Your Windows Occasionally
Provided that it is not freezing cold or blowing a gale outside, let some outside air in by opening your windows and doors every now and then. Doing so will also get rid of some of the pollutants that have built up within your house. If you have bathroom or kitchen extractor fans, make use of them regularly. You should also routinely clean the venthole in the extractors and make sure they function correctly.
Use Natural Home Cleaning Products
If you have ever taken the time to read the labels on home cleaning products, the majority of them will include a warning about how harmful the chemical substances are for your health or skin. As soon as you use that product, a lot of those chemicals go into the air, the fumes of which are inhaled. How is it that some well known anti bacterial cleaners start your eyes watering and bring on a coughing fit. Not any longer though, as my natural housecleaning products of choice are baking soda, washing soda, vinegar and pure lemon juice. These are all non toxic, environmentally friendly and can tackle most housecleaning tasks, either separately or mixed with one another.
Clean and Dust Your House Regularly
Although it might appear obvious to some folks, regularly hoovering your carpets and flooring can go a long way in controlling airborne allergens and dust. It is claimed (although I have no proof) that around 70% of all household dust comprises of dead skin, which we humans shed day in and day out. Dust mites like to feed on this dead skin which in turn makes them grow. They then shed their own skin and that, mixed with their faecal matter is what causes allergic reactions in some folks.
Pet Dander Allergic Reactions
For those families with a cat, dog or other pet, allergies such as asthma attacks can be triggered off by their dander, which they molt day in and day out. If you think that you or a family member may be allergic to your family pet, action is needed. Ideally, it is better to keep pets out of the house altogether although that is seldom possible. As a possible alternative, try and restrict the rooms that the pet is allowed into. One definite area to keep them out of is the bedroom.
Reduce Indoor Air Humidity
If the climate where you live is either very humid or just plain wet (as in too much rainfall), you will no doubt be aware of just how much moisture levels within your home can increase. A consequence of excessive moisture is the growth of mold and mildew. For anybody with extreme allergies, mold spores are as bad, if not worse, than dust. Dehumidifiers can be a godsend in a humid environment because they are capable of removing excess dampness from the surrounding air, thereby keeping mold and the resulting spores at bay.
Invest in a Home Air Purifier
An allergy relief air purifier is a unit that cleans indoor air of allergens, such as mold spores, pollen and pet dander. They are particularly useful if you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma since they can reduce airborne contaminants by a substantial amount. Indoor air purifiers have become very popular over recent years because they are able to clean the air in your home while making it a lot healthier to breathe in. However, there are different types of air purification technologies, some of which may not be suitable in all situations.