While a cloud of smog might be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words, air quality, health officials these days tend to worry more about indoor air quality.
After all, we spend 90% of our time indoors. (Maybe more, if we live in a northern or rainy climate zone.) Our homes are climate-controlled and sealed up tight to conserve energy.
Researchers now are finding multiple connections between indoor air and illness. Not just for infection, which of course is spread more easily within a confined environment, but also between humidity and viruses, as well as asthma, respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, sinus problems, allergies, and headaches.
How’s your humidity?
Whether you are heating your house in winter or cooling it in summer, you might want to pay attention to humidity levels. While central air conditioning helps keep the humidity at a tolerable level, cooling with window units may cause humidity to fluctuate.
A recent study by government researchers showed that relative humidity of 43% or higher could cut the risk of infections down to 15% when a virus is present in the house. When humidity levels were below 23%, the flu virus retained a much higher infectious power, 71%.
A dried-out virus is a weak one, researchers explained. And it doesn’t take long to render the virus inoperative. In this experiment, the change in infectious power occurred within 15 minutes.
Many homes maintain humidity levels of 10% or less during the winter season. You can buy an inexpensive hygrometer at the hardware store that will measure the humidity level in your home.
Keep in mind that too-high humidity levels are not good, either. Moisture in the air feeds the growth of mold and other pathogens.
It’s not the heat or the humidity
Humidity is not the only culprit in bad air, of course. Many homes test positive for lead (from paint), formaldehyde and fire-retarding chemicals (from furniture), radon (from ground sources) and our own contributions (perfumes, household cleaners, cigarette smoke).
Then there are mites– tiny creatures that live in dust– as well as mold and pet dander. One doctor from the Cleveland Clinic says even people who don’t own pets often have dander in their homes. (He calls it a ‘community allergen’.)
While everyone is susceptible to these pollutants, very young children and elderly people are especially vulnerable. And the more airtight the home, the more risk.
Don’t be taken in by advertisements for ozone air purifiers. Ozone can scar your lungs; it’s a major component in smog. The American Lung Association specifically warns against ozone air purifiers.
Ways to clean your cloud
- Simple cleaning and vacuuming are good– but they can also introduce problems. Here are some easy ways to make sure your hygiene isn’t harming your health.
- Try to use household cleaners that don’t contain perfumes and deodorizers. Avoid laundry detergents that contain synthetic fragrances. Don’t buy plug-in air fresheners.
- Use HEPA filters in your vacuum cleaner, and clean the filters frequently. For your heating and cooling system, ask your air conditioning contractor for filters with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) of 14-16.
- Clean with water. Mopping picks up dust that vacuuming merely moves from one place to another.
- Place a large mat near the door. You’d be surprised at how much gunk people carry in on their shoes. Better yet, ask people to remove their shoes before entering.
- Use an exhaust fan or open a window while you’re cooking, running the dishwasher, or showering (to allow moisture to escape).
- Install a vent to the outside on your clothes dryer if it doesn’t already have one. And make sure to clean it regularly so lint doesn’t build up.
- Empty drip pans in your window AC and dehumidifier so water doesn’t pool there. The pans make excellent breeding ponds for bacteria.
- Make your home a no-smoking zone. If you smoke, do it outside the house. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals; second-hand smoke increases the risk of childhood infections, asthma, cancer, and ear or lung infections.
- Use natural means to make your home clean and healthy. Lemons and baking soda are great deodorizers. Plants are nature’s air purifiers.
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