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How Dirty is the Air in Your Home?

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You might think the air you breathe at home is cleaner than the air outside, with all its pollen and car exhaust. Think again.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside our offices, schools, and houses can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. And since we take some 20,000 breaths and inhale 3,400 gallons of air each day on average, indoor pollution is nothing to sneeze at.

The truth is that most homes are rife with indoor pollutants—emitted from our cleaners, rugs, furniture, paint, plastics, and dry cleaning solvents, not to mention our pets and the muck we drag in on our shoes (or paws). And since Americans tend to spend about 90% of their time indoors, the air quality in our homes is more critical to our health than the air quality outdoors.

The Issues

For starters, pollution from outside can get in. Studies show that younger children who live near busy roads in urban areas are more prone to developing health problems from exposure to vehicle exhaust.

Then there are the cleansers we use to maintain our homes, which actually introduce chemicals that may be harsher than the dirt and dust they’re designed to clean. Now add pet dander, secondhand tobacco smoke, combustion pollutants from stoves and furnaces, possible radon or asbestos if the house is pre-war; as well as any volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that might be in the paint on our walls or in our plastic shower curtains. Breathing this polluted air can impact our respiratory health, aggravating asthma and allergies.

“If it was just one exposure, it probably wouldn’t hurt you,” says Amy Myers, MD, a physician practicing functional medicine in Austin, Texas. “But when the toxins are in your sofa, in your bed, in your cabinet, on the floor, in your laundry detergent, we’re talking about chronic low-level exposure that adds up over time.”

Four Simple Solutions

So what can we do to assure optimal health and well-being? While we can’t control the outdoor air, we definitely can take proactive measures inside. Here are four low-effort, high-impact moves that can boost your health immediately. Even the smallest changes can really clear the air.

1. Keep your Floors Clean

Household dust can contain harmful allergens and chemical contaminants including lead dust, pesticides and flame retardants. To control it, vacuum twice weekly with a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap particles inside—other vacuums can blow a large percentage back into the air. A vacuum cleaner with rotating brushes, strong suction, and a certified HEPA filter can do wonders for the health of your home. Make sure to vacuum the same spot more than once in high-traffic areas. And don’t forget to vacuum upholstered furniture, carpet edges, and other spots where household dust accumulates.

2. Green Your Clean

Consider switching to natural, non-toxic cleaners such as Earth Friendly, Simple Green Naturals, CleanWell and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. Natural cleaning products are a healthier alternative to traditional liquids, sprays and scrubs, which have been shown to trigger asthma symptoms and headaches, irritate the eyes and throat, and even cause chemical burns and poisonings. Always check the label and steer clear of the words “poison, “warning,” or “danger,” and even “caution,” which can indicate toxic formulas. Or, better yet, make your own with simple, inexpensive ingredients you already own, such as baking soda and lemon juice.

3. Freshen Your Filters

Your furnace filters remove much of the dust and other microscopic particles that permeate your indoor air. If not replaced regularly, these filters are unable to clean the polluted air from the outside and end up recirculating these pollutants and toxins back inside your home. Change the filters on your furnace at least once every three months (each season, as recommended by the EPA) in order to improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and reduce indoor pollution.

4. Clear the Air

A top-quality portable air filter can cut down on allergens and viruses, and reduce bacteria inside your home. We’re liking the new Breathe by Homedics, which is considered five times more effective at air purifying than HEPA because it can kill over 99 percent of airborne contaminants in seconds. Air filters are a great option for families that struggle with allergies and other respiratory sensitivities. Relax and take a deep breath—of clean and purified air.

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