INDOOR AIR QUALITY : Facts

Indoor Air Quality

Here are some little known facts about the air inside many homes

1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air pollutant levels may be two to five times higher than the pollutant levels outdoors.
2. Indoor air pollution has become a top environmental concern.
3. Worldwide, more and more people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors. This is of real concern with children.
4. Indoor air "pollutants" include volatile organic compounds, dust, tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, and animal dander that create asthmatic and allergic reactions.

What contributes to poor indoor air quality?

Today's homes are built differently. Buildings are expected to be "energy efficient", which means retain as much of the air inside - this is to avoid loss of 'cold air conditioned" air in the tropics and to avoid heat loss in the colder countries. On the one hand is the energy bill and on the other hand is that absolute need for retaining "indoor air quality". Modern construction does not allow or facilitate air exchange which is only possible by getting rid of fowl used indoor air and replacing it fresh outside air.

Air cleaners have come into play within buildings to help purify the air and enable healthier breathing for all who are indoors. Is this really true? Is it practical?

Sources of air pollution:

Sources of indoor pollutes are plenty. Dust always precede the list. Studies show that aerosols are culprits. So do wall paints, furniture varnish and glue. The list is endless when we include kitchen gas stoves; insecticides; cleaners and detergents as well.

Tobacco smoke: Tobacco smoke is one of the many allergens. For years the EPA has reported the link between second-hand smoke and health effects.

Pollen: Pollen comes from trees and all types of plants. Opening a door or window allows millions of these particles into a home. Some people are particularly sensitive to the presence of certain pollen particles.

Animal dander: People who are allergic to cats and dogs are actually allergic to the dander flakes their pets shed. Dander can remain in a home long after the presence of the host animal.

Mold and mildew: Typically found in the shower, kitchen or basement, these sneaky plant spores also grow any place that's warm and humid.

Clean and Vacuum Your Way to a Healthy Home

Home is where we spend the most time. Wife and children spend longer hours. What is it that we can do to keep our home as healthy as possible. It is at work and at home, where the bulk of a day is spent, and hours within home almost always precedes. Our bedroom hours are fixed between 6 to 10 hours daily. The critical issue of indoor air quality and its importance is really at home.

Today homes are constructed differently. Energy conservation and a promise that your bills would be contained is a selling point. Literally it is a tight construction and allowance for ventilation that can facilitate air exchange is as good as nil. As such, that move allows for breeding of bacteria, mold, dust mites, other allergens and an accumulation of dust and pollen. All these are small and microscopic to be exact. They cannot be seen with our naked eye.

How then do we know that we are victims of these "invaders". We show symptoms of "sick building syndromes", like sneezing , coughing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, headaches, tiredness, dizziness, and sometimes difficulty breathing and lethargy as well. Millions of people suffer, seek regular treatment, ignore until it manifests into something more serious and warranting hospitalisation. So many millions suffer from sinus,asthma and even skin allergies and disorder.

Is it possible to cure a "sick" home?

Keep a clean home and one can see and fell that significant difference. Thorough and regular cleaning is as important as our daily bath. Authorities like the American Lung Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have asked of all to maintain regular cleaning schedules at home.

Today's cleaning systems have changed with times and have become multi functional. It is no longer just vacuuming furniture and fittings, but A TOTAL INDOOR HOME CLEANING concept. Emphasis is on keeping indoor air clean, and that is a must. Even in the cleaning world, filters get questioned. They limit function purpose and become breeders of bacteria, where neglect rules. Focus is on filtration technology and techniques that enhance efficacy.

Efficiency at picking up dirt from the floor is important and so is their allergen filtration capability. HEPA filtration systems are designed to retain minute particles so that they don't get back out into the air. Regular cleaning of the bedroom, mattresses, curtains and all types of indoor fabric fittings help reduce or contain animal dander, spiders, spider egg sacs, webs and dust mites.

Surface cleaning is insufficient. Deep cleaning and extracting dirt off surfaces go hand-in hand with vacuuming. The use of specially formulated liquid cleaning solutions, play their part in cleaning the air within home, while physical cleaning is taking place. Extract, loosen and remove allergens that cling to carpet fiber s well.

These tips can contribute to the thorough cleaning that makes a Healthier home:

• Clean all floor, carpets and rugs at least twice weekly.
• Clean your mattress twice weekly.
• Clean all areas of the house daily that have high-traffic.
• Clean upholstered furniture, drapes and fabric fittings regularly.
• Cleaning is even important for homes with pets.
• Wash bedding in hot water.
• Pillows need regular reconditioning.
• Wash stuffed animals
• Control moisture in the home to prevent mold spores.
• Air conditioning needs checking and regular cleaning.
• Clean hard surfaces as well with right tools.
• Keep windows open for air ventilation
• Keep windows closed to keep allergens from entering.
• Control cockroaches; their feces are an allergen

Make cleaning an essential part of your day to day indoor living.