Spending Time Indoors
Do you know what you're breathing?
Indoor Air Quality
The air we breathe indoors can be more harmful to us than the air we breathe outside. This is because of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Carbon Monoxide, and other harmful chemicals that pollute the air we breathe.
New Science: Indoor Air Quality
Sick Building Syndrome
Is a term to describe building occupants who experience symptoms of sickness due to being in a polluted place for a long amount of time.
Indoor Air Problems!
Some of the top pollutants that we breathe everyday. Mold, gases emitted from certain foods, bacteria, and dust mites are only a few of the harmful pollutants that find their way into our bodies!
How is the air quality in your home?
Do you have multiple air fresheners that you use? Do you use cleaning products such as ammonia, bleach, or Pine-Sol? Do you use hairspray? These all can harm your indoor air quality!
Smoke Free Zone!
Smoking is one of the biggest indoor air pollutants. One cigarette contains almost 4,000 chemicals! Think about it, if you have a loved who smokes and you are only just breathing the smoke-filled air, just imagine what kind of damage is happening to both your lungs and your loved one! Better yet, think of the air quality, and how others can breathe the same harmful toxins- in your home!
Indoor Air Pollution
We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your house could also be polluted. The use of cleaning products, tobacco products(smoking), and air fresheners can all affect your home- and you may not have even noticed!
Indoor Air Pollution
#1 GET RID OF HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS!
Household cleaning products, like Windex, Fabuloso, and other top name brands can contain harmful chemicals in them that we tend to inhale. Use natural cleaning agents instead, like vinegar or lemons. Lemons act as a bleach alternative and are known to freshen and lighten things. Vinegar is used to purify the air as well as clean rust off of old metal pans.
#2 KEEP YOUR FLOORS FRESH!
Floors are covered with dust, we breathe in dust mites, pollen, and even pet dander. Dust mites are another allergen and pollutant to our indoor air quality. Mop floors, and vacuum carpet floors. Do not use soap or cleaner, just take plain water and mop up any dust particles to help keep the air fresh. Sweep regularly as well.
#3 HEALTHY HUMIDITY!
Dust mites and mold love moisture. Keeping humidity around 30%-50% helps keep them and other allergens under control. A dehumidifier helps reduce moisture in indoor air.
#4 NO SMOKE ZONE!
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Research shows that secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of developing ear and respiratory infections, asthma, and cancer. Smoking can cause cancer, breathing problems, strokes and heart attacks.
#5 TESTING FOR RADON!
Radon increases the risk of lung cancer. This is a colorless, odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed from decaying uranium. It is found in almost all soils.
FACTS ABOUT INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
The quality of indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the worst outside air
Most people recognize the health concerns that outdoor air pollution poses, but few consider that exposure to poor indoor air quality has the same ill health effects.
Indoor air pollution is ranked among the top five environmental dangers
The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that poor indoor air pollution is a very real problem and ranked it among the top of the environmental dangers facing the public.
Lung cancer and other serious problems are linked to indoor air pollution
The American Heart Association has linked poor air quality to heart problems while the American Lung Association lists it as a leading cause of lung cancer.
Due to the abnormally warmer temperatures this year-
the pollen counts are 800% higher (or 8 times greater) than normal and will find their way into your home.
You inhale approximately 15,000 or more quarts of air per day
Whoa! Talk about a lot! You likely understand the health benefits of clean water, of which you consume about two quarts per day. Yet, most people are unaware of or ignore the importance of breathing clean air, as well. Which is why we have so many respiratory problems today, poor air quality leads to poor lungs.
Websites Used (Credit)
"5 Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality and Reduce Air Pollution." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.
"Blog / 7 Important Indoor Air Quality Facts & Statistics." Important Indoor Air Quality Facts & Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.