Perhaps you've heard that indoor air can be many times more polluted than the air outside your house. The reason? Most of our houses are now created with airtight construction, without those cracks that used to allow fresh air in and stale air out. We also use air conditioning or heating most of the year, so we tend to keep our houses shut. That means the air inside the home can get very stale unless you have a ventilation system.
What's Polluting Your Home?
You may be surprised at all the pollutants that can end up in your home. Here are some of them:
Tobacco
Gas, kerosene, coal, and wood
Pressed-wood products
Carpet fibers
Deteriorating, asbestos-containing insulation
Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies that contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
Central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices
Outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution
Mold
Pet dander
Decaying insect particles
Dust mites
Pollen
All these pollutants enter the home by different means, but experts say that the best way to control them and keep them from affecting your indoor air is to keep them out of the home. For instance, in the case of tobacco, stop any smoking of these products in the home. In the case of radon, you may need a professional to install a radon barrier to protect your indoor air. Vacuum carpets and upholstery with a HEPA filter to control dust mites, pollen, dust, and pet dander. Brush pets frequently outdoors. Brush your clothes and pets off before entering the home to control pollen. For pressed-wood products, air them out before coming indoors. For substances that tend to off-gas VOCs, keep the lids on tight or store the products in the garage, away from people and pets that might breathe them. To control mold, eliminate damp places where it may grow, such as leaking roofs and ceilings or leaking plumbing.
Consider installing ventilation to remove stale air and replace it with fresh air. Use a quality air filter in the HVAC. For gassy substances, look into a charcoal-activated filtration system.
For more on indoor air, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.