Indoor air pollutants are present everywhere, and we may not always know the full extent of their effects on our health or the health of our families. However, knowing the major sources of indoor air pollution and simple solutions to reduce exposure is the first step to breathe safe air inside our homes.
Here is a complete guide to help you improve indoor air quality:
Frequently Opening Your Doors and Windows
This can help reduce high concentrations of indoor air pollutants, especially when cooking or using cleaning chemicals. However, only do this if it is safe, as outdoor air pollution can enter your home. When opening doors and windows, you can also use mechanical ventilation, such as fans and exhaust fans, to speed up the reduction of air pollutants.
Use Cleaner Fuels for Cooking
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is the safer option for cooking because it does not produce black carbon and emits 33% less carbon dioxide. If charcoal or wood is your only option, cook outside or in a well-ventilated area and wear a face mask to avoid inhaling harmful particles.
Regularly clean your home
Maintaining your home clean may help in removing settling dust particles in surfaces and remove molds that develop on your walls. You may look for safer alternatives for cleaning. For example, baking soda may be used for scrubbing surfaces. Vinegar with water is also good for cleaning your windows.
Do not Smoke and Vape Indoors
This may greatly help you and the people inside our homes prevent the effects of smoking and vaping.
Regularly clean your mechanical ventilation
Ensure your fans, exhaust fans or air conditioning system have regular cleaning maintenance to prevent dispersion of particles from these machines. Also, make sure to wear a facemask to avoid inhaling the particles coming from your mechanical ventilation.
Use an air purifier
Air purifiers can help in cleaning the air in your homes. It uses HEPA filtration which filters the small particles which prevents you from inhaling it. Air purifiers can also be used with activated carbon filters which can help in reducing VOCs. You may look for an air purifier for your homes here.
BOTTOMLINE: Breathing safe air in your home can be done in simple ways!
There are many indoor air pollution sources in your home that you may not be aware of. Understanding how indoor air pollution can occur is a big step in preventing its impact on your health and the health of your family.
Check out more about air pollution topics here.
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