No healthy, well-adjusted person would eat or drink poison on purpose. Most folks are very conscious about what they put into their bodies. However, often they show less concern about possibly harmful substances that they could be breathing in.
Of course, over the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe, people have become much warier of the air they breathe, though it’s in the context of what other people are breathing out rather than chemical and other emissions.
Good indoor air quality is something it’s important to keep in mind in your own home, whether it’s a rental house in Columbus or an apartment in Athens.
Air quality – and the harmful substances swirling around in the air we breathe – usually goes unnoticed because air is invisible. If the air contained a visual signifier when it was contaminated, wouldn’t it be easier to regulate our intake? Well, of course it doesn’t, so people have a personal responsibility to be conscious of what they’re breathing in. That should start from home.
Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality in Your Home
• Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke contains known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) and a host of chemicals. These endanger both you and nearby people who are breathing in your smoke. If you can’t quit just yet, be sure to smoke outdoors. If you’re into vaping, read up on the health hazards of this relatively new pursuit.
• Inspect HVAC filters monthly. Reduce the dust, allergens and other contaminants in the air by inspecting each month the air filter that works with your house or apartment’s forced-air heating and cooling system. When the filter looks clogged or dirty, replace it with a new one of the same type. A clogged filter not only struggles to clean indoor air; it also can coat sensitive mechanical parts with dust, forcing the equipment to work harder and longer. This can lead to inefficient air circulation, higher energy bills, and stress on parts. Your house or apartment also should have adequate ventilation; for optimum indoor air quality, a regular replacement of stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air is necessary. An effective combination of natural ventilation (open those windows) and mechanical ventilation is usually advised.
• Fill the house with plants. Certain plants naturally filter the air and give off fresh oxygen. Online research will tell you what plants are best at doing this. But don’t install a bunch of plants and then expect them to do all the work. Despite the hype surrounding the air-cleaning properties of certain plants, they can only cleanse a small proportion of indoor air.
• Take care with furniture. Many composite wood products contain formaldehyde and other chemicals. These can merge into the air over time.
• Use all-natural cleaners. Chemical-laden cleaners don’t simply smell strong; they can actually be harmful if breathed in. Also, never mix cleaning products (such as bleach and ammonia). It can produce a toxic gas. Lemon juice, vinegar, baking soda, and other all-natural items can be used as effective cleaners. Read up on VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to see what sort you have in and around your home, and how to make sure they’re not emitting toxic fumes.
More Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality
• Vacuum carpets regularly. Carpets and fabrics can harbor dust and other allergens. Some newer carpets are created to reduce allergens, but most carpets should be cleaned two to three times a week, primarily in high-traffic areas and in homes with pets. In your student apartment or house in Athens or Columbus, vacuuming more than once a week is likely a non-starter with your house or flat-mates, though at least try to do it weekly.
• Eliminate leaks. Drippy faucets or a damp basement can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. While many types of these fungi are harmless, some are very harmful if breathed in. If you have a mold or mildew problem, call in a professional (or ask your property manager to do it) for a threat assessment and advice on proper cleaning. One area where water can be a problem is the condensate drain of your air conditioning system. If it gets clogged, the water can back up and damage carpets, walls, floors, fixtures and furniture.
• Test for invisible dangers. Radon, carbon monoxide and asbestos could be lurking in your home. Testing eliminates threats and can safeguard home occupants. Having a working carbon monoxide detector on each level of the home is just as important as a working smoke detector. Some of these detectors perform both functions.
• Dial back the humidity: Run the exhaust fans in bathrooms and invest in a dehumidifier. Mold and mildew, as well as dust mites, thrive in moist conditions. Perhaps your landlord can consider installing a whole-house system for humidity control, which works with the forced-air HVAC system to clean the air in every room in the house.
• Wash sheets and pillowcases every 10 days or so. Buy machine-washable pillows and bed linens.
• No pests allowed. Allergens from roaches are a major cause of asthma, and airborne protein from dried rodent urine is a potent allergen. Especially in the spring, various insects and other vermin find their way into homes. Taking preventative steps, such as sealing air leaks to the outside and spraying around the perimeter of the house can help reduce these incursions.
• Air it out. On low-particulate days when the weather allows it, throw open the windows and let the fresh air in.