Freshen Your Indoor Air Quality

We tend to think of air pollution as something outside -- smog, ozone, or haze hanging in the air, especially in summer. But the truth is, the air inside homes, offices, and other buildings can be more polluted than the air outside.

The air inside your home may contain lead, formaldehyde, fire-retardants, radon, even volatile chemicals from fragrances used in conventional cleaners. Some pollutants are tracked into the home, but some arrive via a new mattress or furniture, carpet cleaners, or a fresh coat of paint on the walls. You'll also find microscopic dust mites -- a major allergen -- plus mold and heaps of pet dander.

Indoor allergens and irritants have become much more important in recent decades because we're spending more time indoors, and because modern homes are airtight, these irritants can't easily escape. Here are some tips to refresh your indoor air:

1. Keep your floors fresh.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce concentrations of lead in your home. You can also get rid of other toxins, like brominated fire-retardant chemicals (PBDEs), as well as allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. In high traffic areas, vacuum the same spot several times. Don't forget walls, carpet edges, and upholstered furniture, where dust accumulates. For best results, vacuum two or more times each week and wash out your filter regularly.

Mopping picks up the dust that vacuuming leaves behind. You can skip the soaps and cleaners and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens. Microfiber mops and dust cloths capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibers and don’t require any cleaning solutions whatsoever.

Put a large floor mat at every door. People track in all sorts of chemicals via the dirt on their shoes. A door mat reduces the amount of dirt, pesticides, and other pollutants from getting into your home. If the mat is big enough, even those who don't wipe their shoes will leave most pollutants on the mat -- not the floors in your home. Likewise, it's best to have people remove their shoes at the door to avoid tracking chemicals and dirt inside. Keep house shoes, socks and slippers near the door.

2. Keep a healthy level of humidity.
Dust mites and mold love moisture. Keeping humidity around 30%-50% helps keep them and other allergens under control. A dehumidifier (and air conditioner during summer months) helps reduce moisture in indoor air and effectively controls allergens. An air conditioner also reduces indoor pollen count -- another plus for allergy-sufferers. Don't forget to check and clean or replace filters regularly.

Use an exhaust fan or crack open a window when cooking, running the dishwasher, or bathing. Vent the clothes dryer to the outside. Fix leaky plumbing to prevent moisture-loving mold. Empty drip pans in your window air conditioner and dehumidifier.

3. Make your home a no-smoking zone.
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals. Research shows that secondhand smoke increases a child's risk of developing ear and respiratory infections, asthma, cancer, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For the smoker, this addiction causes cancer, breathing problems, heart attacks, and stroke.

4. Test for radon.
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Whether you have a new or old home, you could have a radon problem. This colorless, odorless gas significantly raises the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

5. Smell good naturally.
You may associate that lemony or piney scent with a clean kitchen or clean clothes. But synthetic fragrances in laundry products and air fresheners emit dozens of different chemicals into the air. You won’t find their names on the product labels. Conventional laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and air fresheners in solid, spray, and oil form may all emit such chemicals.

In one study, a plug-in air freshener was found to emit 20 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including seven regulated as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws. But these chemicals were not included on the label -- only the word "fragrance" is required to be listed. The actual composition of the fragrance is considered a "trade secret."

Most fragrances are derived from petroleum products, and generally haven’t been tested to see if they have any significant adverse health effects in humans when they are inhaled. Phthalates are a group of chemicals often used in fragrances and also used to soften plastics. Studies show that phthalates disrupt hormones in animals.

Look for fragrance-free or naturally-scented laundry products. Switch to mild cleaners that don't include artificial fragrances. Stop using aerosol sprays -- deodorants, hair sprays, carpet cleaners, furniture polish, and air fresheners. Use sliced lemons and baking soda to get a clean scent in the kitchen.

6. Let in fresh air.
Open windows so toxic chemicals don't build up in your home. Try to let fresh air flow through your home daily, as weather allows.

7. Bring nature indoors.
Any room is prettier with a fern, spider plant, or aloe vera. It’s also healthier. NASA research shows that indoor plants like these act as living air purifiers -- the foliage and roots work in tandem to absorb chemical pollutants released by synthetic materials. If you have kids or pets, make sure the plants aren’t poisonous if ingested.

Sources: WebMD.com; EPA; American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; NASA