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You may have heard that indoor air can be more polluted than the largest industrial cities, but breathe easy; the good news is that the most difficult and expensive measures are not always the most effective – nor are they always necessary. Before you call in the hazmat team, try using these five methods to improve the air quality in your home:
Clean regularly with non-toxic household products ( see, "Five Tips for Greener Cleaning") and a well-maintained, high-filtration vacuum cleaner, and don’t allow anyone to smoke in your home. Paint, solvents, adhesives, kerosene, gasoline and pesticides are potential pollutants and should be stored securely, and not inside the house. Ensure that woodstoves, fireplaces or kerosene heaters are properly vented to the outdoors.
2. Ventilate your home
Good ventilation will help lower indoor pollutant levels. One of the simplest and least expensive methods of removing indoor air pollutants is to open a window or two. However, if you want the best ventilation control and effectiveness, consider installing a mechanical ventilation system that works with your central air handling system. (For more information, contact the Home Ventilating Institute www.hvi.org.)
3. Filter indoor air
Use a furnace filter with a MERV rating between 8 and 13 to trap particulate matter and keep it from re-circulating through your home. (Be sure to check manufacturer recommendations, since central air systems require adequate airflow to work properly.) Portable air purifiers can be effective, but are limited to the room size indicated by the manufacturer. (Check the Clean Air Delivery Rate or CADR of various air cleaners at the Web site of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers www.cadr.org.)
4. Control humidity
Humidity provides a welcome atmosphere for dust mites and mold, and can concentrate levels of other pollutants. Keep the humidity in your home between 30-50 percent, vent kitchens, bathrooms and laundry areas, and if you occasionally use a humidifier, keep it scrupulously clean. A dehumidifier may also be necessary in cases where moisture and humidity are a problem.
5. Test the air in your home
Inexpensive radon test kits and carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased from hardware and home improvement stores to alert you of the presence of these odorless, invisible and sometimes deadly gases. Radon occurs naturally in soil and rock, but can rise to dangerous levels when trapped inside a home. Once detected, however, radon levels can be reduced or almost entirely eliminated. Carbon monoxide can slip undetected from a faulty furnace, hot water heater or gas stove, an unvented kerosene heater, or automobile exhaust from an attached garage. A carbon monoxide detector can save lives.
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