Nitric acid, cancer-causing formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, gaseous radioactive isotopes, toxigenic mold spores, some objects may sound like a shopping list James Bond villain, but in reality are only a handful of common air pollutants in high concentrations found in American households. In fact, estimates of the Environmental Protection Agency air quality in your home or workplace average American contains 2 to 5 times the levels of pollution found outdoors.Coupled with the EPA estimates that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, and you can see because they are indoor air quality (IAQ) rank among the top five environmental health risks. But unlike many threats to our health and life, is the presence of pollutants in our air at home is what more or less have control. With some simple solutions can greatly increase your home IAQ. Here are ten of the best ways to do this:
1 air from your living room
Since the energyCrisis of the 70s, the American guidelines are closed for Construction and HVAC dense, efficient buildings, resources to get pushed by air-conditioned air inside the homes. Unfortunately, as we have held in the air to seal air pollutants. The only solution to this problem? Ventilation.
And that can mean much more than a window to open. Many experts recommend a mechanical ventilation system that allows for.35 air changes per hour, and in general, andVentilation throughout the house and spot ventilation for problem areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Anyone who is looking to minimize the energy in an energy recovery ventilation (ERV), a whole house solution, as the name suggests, try to win up to 80% of energy lost through ventilation.
2 Delete the second (and third), tobacco smoke in the House
Everyone knows that tobacco smoke contains over 40 carcinogens and kills thousands of nonsmokersEach year, devastating effects on lung development in children, but if you are not satisfied for any reason, take them off cigarettes, you can contact us on the third hand the dangers of smoking.
Third, tobacco smoke residue that refers to the smoke leaves on the walls, furniture, clothing, skin and other surfaces it comes into contact. This compound reacts with nitric acid, a common indoor pollutants, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) to form. TSNAs is caused byShot residue found their way into people's bodies through inhalation of dust, absorption through the skin and if swallowed. And since these pollutants in large part the result of residues of tobacco, is not effectively eliminated by ventilation. Bottom line: do not smoke, but if you do, keep it out.
3 Minimize exposure to radon in the home
This invisible, radioactive gas is a natural product of uranium decay and subsurface seeps from the earth into buildings. E 'harmful if the person is exposed to small amounts of it for a long time, and is ranked two causes of lung cancer after tobacco. Most affected are smokers, up to 9 times the probability of getting lung cancer if they live in a house with high radon concentrations. But regardless of whether you smoke or not, you protect yourself against this silent killer is essential.
The first step is to check if your home contains levels of problem substance.The purchase of a kit for testing and radon testing, remember that the EPA recommends maintaining levels of residences below 4 pCi / L, 1.3 pCi / L as average. If you have high radon concentrations, hire a qualified radon-reduction system ($ 800 - $ 1200) for installation. These ventilation systems the gas directly from the ground, the outside air, and more capable of removing radon is at home.
4 Reduce Airborn products of combustion through the proper maintenance of heat producingAppliances
Stoves, ovens, fireplaces, cars and everything that generates heat by combustion, pushing pollutants that adversely affect air quality in indoor spaces. Of these two pollutants are the worst:
Carbon monoxide (CO) - The odorless, invisible due cause acute symptoms, fatigue, disorientation, heart palpitations and even death. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - symptoms that are derived from NO2 inhalation include irritation to eyes and lungs, asthmaAttacks, bronchitis and abnormal lung development in children.
Reducing the levels of two toxic gases from your oven, and all gas appliances properly maintained and a technician takes place once a year. Mechanically ventilated place for kitchens, laundry dryer vented to the outside, to a minimum and avoid the car in the garage for a long time. To protect themselves from carbon monoxide in your home please peaks of a CO detector ($ 35 - $ 85).
5 LightTop of unused colors and cleaner
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are an unwanted byproduct of modern life are all plastic and pressed wood products found in synthetic fabrics. Some of the worst of paints, detergents and other chemicals are usually present in the home. Besides ventilation, the easiest way to limit exposure to VOCs is to avoid keeping large amounts of cleaning agents and varnishes. Must clean up old, empty bottles in the middleProducts and safely store your colors in an open area.
6 Ensuring the proper functioning of moisture
High humidity in the house the effect may play an important role in the spread of indoor pollutants. Mold and mildew thrive in humid climates and air to your house is full of spores that cause allergies. In addition, volatile organic compounds are emitted faster in higher humidity. Keep the humidity should be between 30% and 50% are required to ensure optimum quality of the air.Buy a hygrometer to monitor humidity is your home and are considering the purchase of a dehumidifier, if too high.
7 Clear and prevent mold growth
As mentioned earlier, mold growing anywhere moisture. And air-veined mold spores come, and when it comes to indoor air quality, mold spores are bad news. Inhalation can irritate lungs mold spores that trigger allergic reactions and aggravate asthma. Keep surfaces dry at home when possible andDetergents for cleaning a mold to find.
8 Keep your HVAC system
They are equipped with heating and cooling system checked annually to ensure their proper functioning. Even channels that may be mold or leaks in hazardous pollutants analyzed. In addition, you change air filter systems every few months.
9 Be aware of hazardous materials in older homes
Houses built before 1960 often contain harmful substances once thought safe for use inResidences. Two of the most well-known pollutants found in old houses:
Lead - takes its name from the Department of Health and Human Services in 1991 as "the number one threat to children's environmental health in the United States." As such, it can lead to impaired mental development, learning difficulties and damage to the central nervous system. Lead particles in the air comes mainly from old plaster that peels off. Asbestos - This potent carcinogen that was once commonly used as insulation for the AmericanFamilies and has been linked to serious diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma in relation scars. Asbestos is usually found in homes in the form of isolation.
What should you do if you find them in your home? Well, if you are in good condition, you may need to do anything. In fact, sometimes it can be more dangerous to remove as the disease can really fill the air with high levels of dangerous particles. But if you are already in a state of degradation orThere are plans to rebuild, clearing them from your home could, in fact, the safest bet. So make sure you get professional help for removal.
10 Avoid ozone-based air purifier
Residential air cleaning systems with air when ozone pollution is likely to be ineffective and harmful. Studies have refuted claims that ozone removes significant amounts of pollutants inside. Even worse, gas is the main component of smog and the respiratory tract mayProblems if inhaled. When shopping for an air cleaner to opt for models that do not emit significant amounts of ozone.
And for the eleventh and probably most important tip is to leave the house or office or at the mall or the car, or wherever you spend, the EPA estimates 90% of your life. Perhaps this is not technically a suggestion to improve air quality in indoor spaces, but we support them. As well as benefiting the lungs, spend some time in the open air has been shown to reduceStrengthening stress, mood, improve sleep quality and establish a series of other health problems. To go out and enjoy the fresh air, open space and sunlight ...
... But remember to wear sunscreen, because we all know the EPA has something to say about this topic as well.
