Air pollution is becoming more and more of a global concern, and headlines highlight areas of the world where air quality is at its worst. But many of us are fortunate to not live in these hard-hit areas and may mistakenly believe that the are we breath is fresh and clean. Unfortunately, even your indoor air can be polluted.
The inside of your home might not be filled with smog and haze, but other pollutants might be lurking around. Lead can be found in the dust of some homes. Mold, and dust mites trigger allergic reactions.
And some cleaning products – even cosmetic products – contain harmful chemicals, that can contaminate the air. Furniture, carpeting and mattresses are another common home for pollution, too.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to toss your belongings and throw away all of your cleaning and cosmetic products. But these five simple actions can make a big difference in your indoor air quality.
- Clean your floors, by washing and vacuuming. For smaller area rugs, try to shake them out and leave them outside to freshen up.
- Keep humidity levels between 30% and 50% by using a dehumidifier, using vents, and allowing fresh air in when you run a bath, the dishwasher, etc.
- Always smoke outside
- Test your home for radon, a radioactive gas that can get into our homes via the foundation /basement, cigarette smoke and even granite countertops.
- Avoid synthetic fragrances, low-quality candles and artificially-scented cleaning products. These chemicals can linger in the air and even disrupt hormone levels.
