Breathe Cleaner Air in Your Home

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By Joe Hickman
First published here on July 1st, 2005

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concludes that indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental health risks in the United States today. They say indoor levels of pollutants can be two to five times as high as outdoor levels and sometimes more.

Some problems of indoor pollution can be traced to energy efficiency, according to the Texas Institute for the Indoor Environment at the University of Texas. A tighter home is good for conserving energy but bad in terms of air pollution.

Secondhand smoke
For children, secondhand smoke increases the risk of bronchitis and pneumonia and the severity and frequency of asthma episodes. It also can decrease lung function and increase the risk of ear infections and build-up of fluid in the middle ear. Children are vulnerable to secondhand smoke because they still are developing physically and have higher breathing rates than adults.

EPA is encouraging adults not to smoke in their car, home or anywhere children are present. Don’t hire baby sitters who smoke. For your kids, take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge.

Indoor ozones
Ozone, the key component in smog, has become an indoor problem. By itself, ozone is lower inside than outside. But when oily terpenes from products such as air fresheners, aromatherapy candles, oils and cleaning agents interact with ozone, they generate pollutants like formaldehyde.

Other indoor pollutants

Some other pollutants and what you can do about them:

Asbestos
Leave undamaged asbestos material alone. Call a qualified contractor if you must remove it.

Carbon monoxide
Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. Open fireplace flues. Don’t run a car in an attached garage.

Dust mites, pollens and pet dander
Wash bedding in hot water (130 degrees F). Use wool carpet or wood flooring. Use vacuums with high-efficiency filters.

Formaldehyde
Avoid pressed-wood products. Buy carpet with no formaldehyde content; increase ventilation.

Lead
Use bottled water if drinking water tests positive for lead. Don’t sand or burn off lead paint. Cover with wallpaper.

Mold
Install kitchen and bathroom fans vented to the outdoors. Clean air conditioning and heating equipment. Keep basement dry.

Radon
Have a home test. Seal cracks in basement floor. Ventilate crawl space.

Pesticides
Use nonchemical methods of pest control. Don’t store, pour or mix pesticides inside the home.

© Joe Hickman

Joe Hickman, editor of HaLife.com, is a former EPA web writer in Dallas, Texas.