Air Pollution Talk

Did you know that most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Whether you’re at work, at home, shopping, or eating. Therefore, indoor air pollution is as great a concern as outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution is cause by many factors.

Some of the sources include: gases from oil, gas, or even wood for heating and cooking; cigarette smoking; building materials, such as asbestos insulation and products made from pressed wood; outdoor pollution that come indoors such as radon; cleaning supplies’ chemicals; hair spray and nail polish remover; molds and mildew and pet dander. Any time that your home lacks air circulation, pollutants increase inside your home.

Source: Office on Women’s Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health

By controlling the relative humidity level in a home, the growth of some sources of biologicals can be minimized. A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally recommended for homes.

Run a dehumidifier in the humid summer months, particularly your basement can help eliminating some potential sources. Set your dehumidifier between 30-50, and be sure to place one in the basement. Another important factor to help indoor air quality is to open windows once in awhile to let fresh air in.

Standing water, water-damaged materials, or wet surfaces also serve as a breeding ground for molds, mildews, bacteria, and insects. House dust mites, the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens, grow in damp, warm environments.

Source: EPA