Indoor Pollution: How Healthy Is Your Home? - Page 3
Five Steps to a Healthier Home
1. When there is a good alternative, avoid buying products that contain high levels of formaldehyde or other VOCs. For example, try solid wood or stainless steel if someone in your home is sensitive to formaldehyde. When possible, choose cleansers that have low VOC levels. Also, store materials with high VOC levels -- such as paints and solvents -- in the garage instead of the house. And keep cleaners, paints, and solvents tightly sealed when not in use.
2. Keep your home well ventilated, especially when putting up wallpaper; doing any varnishing or painting; using cleansers or solvents; bringing new pressed-wood furniture into your home; hanging freshly dry-cleaned drapes; or even when painting your nails.
Open doors and windows to let fresh air in and help disperse fumes. And keep the indoor temperature moderate to minimize formaldehyde emissions.
To the extent that the water in your area is chlorinated, it may contain low levels of chlorination by-products such as chloroform. Low levels are not considered to be harmful, but if your water has a strong chlorine smell, you may want to open a window or turn on the exhaust fan when taking a hot shower or bath.
3. Test your home for radon. You can test for radon yourself or hire a qualified radon tester to do it for you.
Radon test kits are available at most hardware stores. The National Safety Council (NSC) also sells short-term and long-term test kits that meet all EPA requirements. Order your low-cost test kit.
If you'd prefer to have a professional test your home, the EPA can help you find a qualified radon tester in your area. Go here for more information.
If your home has elevated levels of radon, take action. There are several fix-it options available to reduce the amount of radon in your house. Check out this Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction from the EPA.
4. Dust and vacuum your home frequently. If someone in your home has active allergies. Dust mites thrive in beds, bedding, and upholstered furniture, so make sure you vacuum those as well as the floor. Keep in mind, however, that cleaning can momentarily increase the allergens in the air. If you have severe allergies or asthma, have someone else do the dusting and vacuuming, throw open all the windows, and wait a couple of hours before returning to the house.
You may want to consider investing in a HEPA-filter vacuum. HEPA vacuums improve air quality and reduce both allergens and allergic reactions.
5. Don't let moisture or humidity build up anywhere. Mold and dust mites flourish in warm, moist environments, and heat and humidity can increase formaldehyde emissions.
Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to help keep humidity levels low. If you use an air conditioner, humidifier, or dehumidifier, make sure it's well maintained and cleaned regularly.
And if you find mold in your home, clean it up immediately. Mold needs water to grow, so try to identify the source of the moisture. If a leak, pooling water, or excess condensation is feeding the mold, fix the problem to prevent the mold from returning.
A Breath of Fresh Air
You look after your body by eating a healthful diet, exercising, and getting preventive screenings. Don't overlook the spaces in which you live, work, and play when patrolling your health. Although it's unrealistic -- and unnecessary -- to try to rid your home of pollutants entirely, keeping the levels of potentially harmful gases, chemicals, and allergens in your home to a minimum may improve your day-to-day health and well-being.
