4 Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality
How much time do you spend inside?
For most of us who live in the northern United States I suspect the answer is a lot! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that in the United States, people spend 90% of their time on average indoors! As a result, indoor air pollution may be a greater risk to people’s health than outdoor air pollution. In addition, research indicates that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air.
Indoor air quality is determined by the following factors:
· ventilation
· humidity levels
· indoor air pollutants.
Why is indoor air quality important?
Indoor air quality refers to the quality of air in a home, workplace, school, or other building. It’s important to consider indoor air quality because it can have widespread impacts on your health.
Indoor air pollutants can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and may cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Long-term exposure to certain indoor air pollutants may also lead to respiratory diseases, heart disease, and certain cancers. Individuals with existing health conditions such as asthma or allergies may be particularly sensitive to indoor air pollution.
What are examples of indoor air pollutants?
Indoor air pollutants predominantly originate from inside a house or building. Although indoor air pollutants can be minimized, many homes contain more than one source, and the accumulation of these pollutants can negatively impact our health and contribute to unhealthy air quality.
· Carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas produced during combustion reactions. CO is emitted from burning cigarettes, fireplaces, wood and gas stoves, furnaces, gas water heaters, cars, grills, and other commonly used household items. CO is harmful to health, and exposure to low concentrations can cause dizziness, headaches, and chest pain. High concentrations of CO can lead to loss of consciousness and potentially death.
· Biological contaminants. Biological contaminants are microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that infiltrate indoor environments. Examples include animal dander, cat saliva, dust mites, pollen, mold, and mildew. These contaminants can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause sneezing, coughing, dizziness, and fever.
· Mold. Mold can develop on surfaces exposed to moisture, such as carpets, ceilings, and furniture. Several factors may contribute to mold growth, including:
o Flooding
o Leaking roof or pipes
o Sewage backup
o Standing water
o Water-damaged materials
o Wet surfaces
· Radon. Radon is a naturally occurring odorless radioactive gas that’s emitted from bedrock located underneath a house or building. Radon forms when the uranium that’s present in rocks and soil breaks down. This gas, which can become trapped inside buildings after entering through cracks, is a human carcinogen and the second leading contributor to lung cancer.
· Volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from different solids or liquids and encompass a variety of different pollutants such as benzene and acetaldehyde. Paints, varnishes, wax, adhesives, gas, kerosene, and sealants all emit VOCs. Household cleaning products and many personal care products also emit VOCs. A systematic review that examined hazardous substances present in 105 common cleaning products in Switzerland found that 75% of the products contained chemicals that were considered irritants, and over 50% of the products were considered harmful or hazardous when ingested or exposed to the eyes and skin. VOCs are also emitted from furniture, air fresheners, electronics, and children’s toys. Plug-in air fresheners contain hundreds of chemicals and when released into the air, can form VOCs. Some states such as California, Washington, and Maine have advocated for more transparency from manufacturers of these products and have passed laws that require the disclosure of harmful chemicals in furniture or children’s products.
· Tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke is a toxic air pollutant that contains harmful chemicals. Smoking tobacco can lead to lung disease, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Both smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke from others smoking in your surrounding environment have been shown to cause serious health consequences, particularly when exposure occurs indoors.
· Asbestos. Asbestos refers to a group of natural minerals that form fibers when they crystallize. Asbestos has traditionally been included in materials used for home construction because its fibers are durable and fireproof. Asbestos is found in many materials, including ceiling and floor tiles, home insulation, and roofing shingles. However, asbestos fibers can be harmful to health. In the United States, asbestos has been partially banned since 1989. If this substance is disturbed through demolition work or other home maintenance projects, fibers are released into the air and can enter the body. Exposure to asbestos can lead to lung disease and lung cancers.
· Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a flammable gas and VOC with a strong odor that can lead to skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation and may contribute to certain types of cancer with excess exposure. Although exposure to small amounts of formaldehyde from products such as fuel-burning appliances may occur, it’s important to avoid high concentrations of formaldehyde and prolonged exposure. Formaldehyde is commonly found in or emitted from various sources, including:
o Building materials (e.g., insulation, wallpaper)
o Cigarette smoke
o Composite wood resins (e.g., plywood, particleboard)
o Fertilizers and pesticides
o Gas stoves
o Kerosene space heaters
What factors influence indoor air quality?
Unhealthy air quality can be caused by particles or gases that are released from various sources (e.g., building materials, cleaning supplies, furniture, mold). Poor ventilation, humidity levels, as well as the age and maintenance level of the source of air pollution also influence indoor air quality.
· Building and material features. Some sources of indoor air pollution emit higher levels of contaminants than others. New furniture or flooring may contribute to indoor air pollution by emitting high levels of contaminants (off-gassing) and then continue to off-gas them at lower levels over time. It’s also important to ensure that gas stoves are properly maintained because older gas stoves may emit more contaminants than newer models. In addition, some sources of indoor air pollution, such as building materials emit pollutants continuously, whereas others emit them intermittently (e.g., furnaces, cleaning products). The age, size and type of a building can also influence indoor air quality. For example, malls may have higher levels of indoor air pollution due to poor natural ventilation, and off-gassing of new materials. It’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of indoor air pollution such as itchy eyes or a headache when entering a building for the first time.
· Ventilation. Ventilation refers to the movement of air in and out of a building and is important for maintaining good indoor air quality. There are two different types of ventilation: natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation occurs when air moves inside and outside through vents or cracks in walls, floors, open windows, doors, or chimneys, for example. Mechanical ventilation is created and includes air flow via air ducts, indoor and outdoor fans, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). Opening windows increases ventilation and helps improve indoor air quality. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is known as the air exchange rate. When natural or mechanical ventilation levels decrease, the air exchange rate is reduced, and air quality also decreases. Newer buildings may not have as much natural ventilation as older buildings because they’re designed to be more energy efficient. In these cases, mechanical ventilation systems are necessary.
· Humidity. Fluctuations in temperature and poor ventilation can increase humidity levels in a home or building, which may lead to mold growth. Mold refers to the fungus that grows on food or damp surfaces. Mold can grow anywhere in a home, especially in rooms where moisture is commonly found such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
How to improve indoor air quality
The most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to reduce or remove the source of the air pollutant. Ensuring proper ventilation and utilizing air filters also help improve indoor air quality.
1. Control the source
Removing the source of the contaminant is often the easiest and most cost-effective way to minimize or eliminate the problem. For example, by reducing the use of candles and incense containing VOCs, you can easily improve indoor air quality.
Mold cannot be removed easily, and contaminated materials must be replaced.
Strategies to control humidity and prevent mold growth include:
· Cover pots with a lid when cooking
· Dry your windowsills if condensation is visible
· Ensure the dryer efficiently vents air towards the outside
· Fix any leaks
· Hang laundry to dry outside
· Keep curtains and blinds open
· Repair damaged grout, caulking, or tiles
· Seal plumbing pipes with foam insulation if there is condensation present
· Use a bathroom exhaust fan during and after a shower
· Use a kitchen exhaust fan during and after cooking
Hiring a professional may be necessary in order to control or remove the source of a contaminant. For example, exposed areas containing asbestos can be enclosed and sealed by a professional. It’s also important to measure whether there is radon present in your home. You can measure radon levels by purchasing a measuring device yourself or by hiring a professional. It is necessary to hire a professional for mold remediation.
Regular cleaning can also help prevent and control sources of contamination. Vacuuming carpets with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove trapped dust and small particles and cleaning hard floors with a mop are simple examples. Because cleaning products often emit VOCs, it’s important to ventilate your home properly during use. Or better yet consider choosing cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and contain fewer VOCs. Read product labels and contact the manufacturer of the product to learn more about the listed ingredients. Lastly, do not mix different cleaning products together because they can create harmful VOCs.
Another simple way to improve indoor air quality and prevent pollutants from entering your home is by ensuring that the space or door between an attached garage and your home is properly sealed. Additionally, do not let gas-powered equipment idle anywhere inside (including the garage), and avoid storing chemicals or gas in the garage.
2. Ensure proper ventilation
By increasing outdoor air circulation inside, you can easily improve the ventilation of your home or building. One of the easiest ways to do this is by opening windows and doors to let in fresh air. Make sure outdoor air conditions are safe before opening windows and doors. You can look up your local outdoor air quality by referring to your city’s air quality index.
Improve indoor air circulation by:
· Allow for space between furniture and walls
· Ensure heating vents or baseboards are not blocked
· Open windows and doors regularly
· Leave inside doors open
· Use a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system
· Utilize exhaust fans
3. Invest in air filters
Air filters, also called air purifiers, can be helpful for removing particles in the air. However, they do not remove gaseous pollutants and should be used while simultaneously reducing the source of the contaminant and improving ventilation.
Some air filters are more efficient at removing particles from the air than others, and their effectiveness is measured by how well they collect pollutants (efficiency rate) and how much air is drawn through the filter (air circulation rate). Both the efficiency and air circulation rate should be high for the cleaner to be considered effective.
Portable air filters that use HEPA filters may reduce air contaminants. Some HEPA air filters use electrostatic precipitators that ensure pollutants stick to the filter using electrostatic energy. However, some air filters that use electrostatic precipitators also produce ozone and are not appropriate for inside use as a result. Ozone (O3) is a gas with a strong odor that exists in the upper atmosphere and at ground level, and is commonly used to purify air, water and to produce chemicals. Depending on its location, exposure to ozone can be harmful to health and cause coughing, shortness of breath, decreased lung capacity, and skin, nose, and throat irritation. When shopping for an air filter, look for options that use a HEPA filter, that are designed for indoor use, and are appropriate for the size of your space.
4. Test your indoor air quality
Indoor air quality testing is another helpful tool for managing indoor air quality. An indoor air quality monitor can measure the particulate matter (e.g., biological contaminants) in the air. Some indoor air quality monitors also measure VOC levels. Monitors to measure indoor air quality in homes can be used to identify high levels of pollutants and may also be helpful if you suspect that your home is contaminated or if you’re experiencing symptoms such as headaches, or skin, nose, or throat irritation. If you discover high levels of pollutants, such as biological contaminants or VOCs, in your home, place of business, or other indoor space, you can use the tactics outlined above to improve air quality and minimize your exposure to potentially harmful toxins.
The bottom line
Improving indoor air quality can often be straightforward and relatively inexpensive. Ensuring proper ventilation and controlling the source of air pollutants by removing or reducing them can help improve air quality. Air filters can help reduce indoor air pollution, and indoor air quality monitors can help measure particulate matter and VOC levels. Make sure to test your home for radon and always have a working CO monitor. When needed, consider hiring a professional for certain types of testing or for the removal of contaminants, especially mold.
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