A clean house can be a healthier home, because good indoor hygiene can greatly reduce dust and animal dander, says Dr. Your cleaning efforts should focus on strategies to reduce the buildup of dander, mold, and pet dust hiding in your home. In general, the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. An important way to keep indoor air clean involves learning about common sources of pollution and avoiding adding pollutants whenever possible.
Rugs and rugs add comfort to the home, but they're also one of the main sources for collecting pet dander, dirt, pollen, and more particles that can be picked up with every step. Make sure to clean them regularly to help minimize build-up, Hendrickson says. Self-cleaning robot vacuums are ideal for those looking for a low-maintenance option. You can also consider implementing a shoe-free home to further prevent build-up.
For people with allergies, it's also a good idea to switch to materials such as alternative down, such as comforters and cooling pillows, to reduce potential allergens. When exposed to poor quality air, you are twice as likely to develop childhood pneumonia. Air pollution is associated with 45% of pneumonia mortality cases in children under 5 years of age. In addition, air pollution is linked to the increase in cases of lower respiratory tract infections among adults, contributing to 28% of the mortality rate.
The heart is a delicate organ that can easily be compromised by air pollutants. There is a strong link between cardiovascular disease and air pollution. Keeping indoor air clean will limit exposure to such pollutants, thus reducing the risk of contracting heart-related diseases. Standalone air purifiers can effectively remove airborne contaminants in a small space, says the EPA.
Some filter both gases and particles; others address one or the other. The Verified program of the Home Appliance Manufacturers Association evaluates the performance of air purifiers; see the ratings in AHAM Verified. This type of cleaning will remove any heavy stains or mold on the carpet and, at the same time, it will absorb all the debris hidden in the carpet. How fresh air moves through a house through an ERV depends on factors such as the presence of existing ducts, the age and efficiency of the furnace, and the design of the house.
Carbon monoxide poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 people each year, and thousands more people get sick or seek medical attention after exposure to odorless gas. We hope you find this report informative and instructive as a way to improve your quality of life and that of your family on a daily basis. Choosing safer, non-toxic cleaning products can help you keep your home clean, without the excess contaminants that some standard cleaning products contain. The American Lung Association recommends incorporating dust into your regular cleaning routine, which can reduce the amount of dust and improve the overall quality of your home's indoor air.
To ensure that indoor air maintains its quality, reduce the humidity level by improving ventilation in your home. The American Lung Association has partnered with Swiffer to inform Americans why they should know the amount of dust in their homes and how a regular dusting regimen is key to achieving better indoor air quality. Reduce the amount of moisture in the air and stop the growth of irritating molds with a few well-placed dehumidifiers. Every year, thousands of children are hospitalized or sick from respiratory tract infections, and smoke puts older adults with cardiovascular or lung diseases at greater risk of health problems.
If you still have doubts about the cleaning capacity of environmentally friendly products, Professor Holgate recommends swapping chemical sprays for solid or liquid cleaning products. Filtration is not a substitute for ventilation; however, periodically replacing the air treatment system filter or, better yet, replacing it with a more effective electrostatic filter can reduce the recirculation of irritants. This starts with a better understanding of how to balance the movement of air inside and outside a home, and the mechanical systems that allow fresh air to enter and expel stale air without compromising energy efficiency or comfort in all seasons. Some plants can filter harmful chemicals and VOCs from wood, cleaning products, furniture, trash, carpets, natural gas and more, says Dakota Hendrickson, co-founder of Filti, a filtration technology company based in Kansas City, Missouri.
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