Outdoor allergens can cause a lot of trouble for those with asthma, but it may not be any better in your own home. Dust, mold, pet dander, and pollen are all present indoors, and without proper airflow or circulation, you could be making your symptoms worse. You can breathe, and sleep, easier once you know how to improve your indoor air quality.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors, where concentrations of pollutants can be between two to five times higher than what they are outside. Sources of these pollutants can originate both inside and outside.
Most pollutants that affect your indoor air quality come from within your own home. These can include combustion sources, like heating and cooking appliances or fireplaces, and cleaning supplies. Paints and insecticides can also introduce different chemicals directly into your home’s air.
Outdoor pollutants can enter your home through doors and windows, and also through other cracks in the structure. Ventilation systems that are not properly sealed can also bring in pollutants from the outside. Any of these pollutants can have negative health effects on you or your families, such as itchy eyes, sore throat, headaches, dizziness, or fatigue.
You can combat some of the worst offenders by keeping the surfaces of your home clean and free of clutter. For rugs and carpets, you will want to vacuum at least once a week to remove allergens that have attached to the fibers. This will also help remove dust mites and pet dander. Replacing your home’s air filters regularly will help improve the circulation of cleaner air.
Investing in an air filter will also help efficiently remove small particles from your home’s air. Find one that has a HEPA filter, and you can adjust an air filter in your bedroom to help direct cleaner air your way while you are sleeping. Also, do not count out the use of a dehumidifier. Putting a dehumidifier in your basement will allow it to pull more than just moisture out of the air.
One of the most dangerous and harmful things you can have in your home is mold. Mold will grow in nearly any area that has access to moisture, and when mold gets in the air it can cause negative health effects for those that already struggle with respiratory problems. Removing mold should be a priority.
Improving your home’s indoor air quality means breathing easier, both literally and figuratively. Do not let allergens ruin your home’s safe haven. For more information on how to lower the allergens and pollutants in your home, call Christian Healthcare Centers today at (616) 226-2669.
