The obvious first step to reducing indoor air pollution is to eliminate all the known sources. Some authorities consider source control the most effective intervention overall. Unfortunately, not all pollutant sources are easy to identify much less eliminate or reduce. Let’s take a look at some sources of indoor air pollution that we are aware of, and are able to eliminate.
Limit your usage of Household Cleaners
Whenever possible, use bio-degradable cleaners. The average American goes through about 25 gallons of toxic or hazardous chemicals per year. We also pour about 32 million pounds of household cleaners down the drain daily. What is that doing to our environment? Our Indoor air? More on
Household Products
Cigarette Smoke.
One of the most obvious forms of indoor air pollution, although not necessarily the easiest to eliminate, cigarette smoke is probably the most complex air pollutant known. Getting it out of the mix is not easy, but it can be done, done very effectively and very dramatically. You will read more about this when we come to the final solution for indoor air pollution. - Patience, patience.
Get rid of the Fireplace
At least convert your fireplace to gas. Wood fires have very large air requirements and produce toxic products of incomplete combustion. No matter how efficient, some smoke always manages to enter the room, possibly off some log that is not totally involved in the burning. It doesn't matter how efficient your fireplace is; If you are enjoying that wonderful woodsmoke smell, you know that it is adding to your indoor air pollution. note: this also applies to candles!
Add to this the:
Increased Humidity which favors dust mites and mold
Back drafts which allow by-products to enter the room
Fire hazard especially if there is a creosote build up in the chimney
and your indoor air pollution has just jumped a notch or two.
Maintain Your Furnace
Popular furnaces these days either use heating oil or gas. In both cases, the fuel is mixed with air and ignited. Although it is a fairly simple system, inefficiencies can occur that adversely affect the quality of air in your home. On an annual basis you should follow the maintenance procedures outlined in the manual you received when you purchased the furnace.
Ducts? What Ducts?
Duct cleaning has become an industry of its own and it is a common belief that your ducts should be vacuumed on a regular basis. Unless you have an issue such as mold, there is no evidence supporting this line of thinking. Your ducts are by nature very dry and nothing of any consequence should be lurking in their depths. Having said that, if you do have a mold problem, you need to discover & remove the source of the dampness which created it. You can then take action to kill or remove the mold. This will probably involve a professional and not a duct cleaning company.
Pets
Do you have allergies or asthma? Here is a touchy subject! Are you willing to put up with the suffering for the sake of the family pet? Your doctor probably has a strong opinion on this and in addition to getting rid of a loved pet you will probably be advised to remove the carpet and install hard wood floors. Boy, do you have some decisions to make! Of course I can't tell you the answer to this dilemma but before you do anything drastic, you might want to take advantage of the latest in
air purification technology
available.
I have friends that are very happy they followed this piece of advice first. They eventually did get rid of the carpets and the smell, but the guinea pigs and the dog stayed. It’s your choice.
Clean your Carpets Frequently
New carpets especially, will release volatile organic vapors from the solvents as well as latex backing and glues used to attach them to the floor. The odor from a new carpet can be irritating especially if you are sensitive to such smells.
In addition to the off-gassing, carpets are natural collectors of many contaminants such as allergens, chemicals and mold spores. Imagine, walking across the carpet and kicking up some of these nasties. (By the way, where do your children play or lie down to watch the TV?) :-(
If you really want to make a dent on indoor air pollution, getting rid of the carpet is probably a good idea. As this can be quite expensive, you might want to check out another alternative. Invest in a purifier using
space age technology
Laundry Products
The detergents you use probably contain phosphorus, ammonia, naphtalene, phenol and many other chemicals. These detergents leave residue on your clothes, linens & towels. Besides the havoc they can play on your skin, some of these chemicals will also add to your indoor air pollution and be inhaled. Here are some precautions you can take:
Use liquid detergents that don't contain phosphates. Consider using baking soda
Use non-chlorine dry bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based liquid bleaches
Use fabric softener sheets as they are less toxic than liquids or aerosols
use bio-degradable stain removers
Don't hang laundry indoors as it promotes humidity and mold growth
The best solution would be to connect a detergent-free laundry unit to your washing machine and avoid chemicals altogether.
As this site is all about indoor air pollution, if you would like more information on one of these wonderful Detergent Free Laundry units, click on the "Contact Us" button near the top left of this page. I would be happy to pass on the information to you.
For information on contaminants that come from these sources
see Contaminants
Cigarette Smoke.
