Solutions to Indoor Air Pollution

It may suprise you to know that air pollution levels inside the modern home can be two to five times higher than the levels outside. Combine that with the fact that the average person can spend up to ninety percent of their time indoors, is it any wonder that the term Sick Building Syndrome has become a new adage in the English language.

Unlike outdoor air, indoor air is recycled again and again with pollutants like tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust and pet dander all contributing towards asthma and allergic reactions.

Other symptoms of sick building syndrome include giddiness, head aches, tickly throats, sinus congestion, itchy or watery eyes, nausea, lethargy and an lack of concentration.  However, since several of these symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, it is not always easy to to ascertain if indoor pollution is the cause or if it is due to some form of viral infection.

If you discover that the symptoms fade when you are in the open air, try to identify inside air sources which might be possible causes and try to get rid of them. Fortunately, indoor air pollution is one health hazard that you can do something about.

Here are several easy steps you can take to better the air quality in your house.

No Smoking Inside

Ideally, you should ban smoking anywhere inside the home but if this is not possible, try to restrict it to one place. 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.

Ventilate Regularly

Weather permitting, you should open windows and doors in order to reduce the concentrations of indoor pollutants while permitting outside air to come in. If you have bathroom or kitchen extractor fans, make use of them on a regular basis. You should also routinely clean the vent-hole in the extractors and make sure they function correctly.

Use Natural House Cleaning Products

If you have ever taken the time to understand the labels on home cleaning products, the majority of them will include a warning about how bad 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. I have quite often started coughing after spraying counter tops with so called anti-bacterial cleaner. Not anymore though, as my natural housecleaning products of choice are bicarbonate of soda, washing soda, vinegar and pure lemon juice. These are all non toxic, environmentally friendly and can tackle the majority of cleaning jobs, either singly or combined with one another.

Keep you Home Clean and Dust Free

Although it may seem obvious to some folks, regularly hoovering your carpets and flooring can go a long way in controlling airborne allergens and dust. It is said (although I have no proof) that around seventy percent of all house dust is composed of dead skin, which we humans molt all the time. Dust mites successively feed upon this dead skin that falls from our bodies. They then grow and shed their own skin and it is this and their feces that causes allergic reactions in folks.

Pet Dander Allergic Reactions

For those folks with a cat, dog or other pet, allergic reactions like asthma attacks can be sparked off by their dander, which they molt all the time. Something needs to be done if you suspect that either you or another household member are allergic to pet dander. Ideally, it is best 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 clime 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 inside your home can increase. A result of excessive moisture is the growth of mold and mildew. For anybody with extreme allergic reactions, mold spores are as bad, if not worse, than dust. For that reason, a home dehumidifier can be essential. An air purifier dehumidifier will draw dampness from the air and into a water tank which you can then remove and pour away.

Get an Indoor Air Purifier

Home air purifiers are units that clean indoor air of allergens, such as mold spores, pollen and pet dander.  They are especially useful if you or a family member suffers from allergic reactions or asthma since they can reduce airborne contaminants by a substantial amount.  Air purifiers and room air cleaners are rapidly increasing in popularity because they make indoor air healthier and cleaner. Even so, there are various types of air purifier, some of which can in reality make allergies worse rather than better.