We tend to think of air pollution as an outdoor problem. However, the EPA states that "the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities" – a scary thought indeed.

If you're worried about your indoor air quality, there are a few simple ways to reduce the number of toxins in your home.

Air Fresheners

A freshly scented home might smell good, but it's not so good for your health. Most fragranced air fresheners contain toxic phthalates that can trigger asthma, wheezing, and headaches.

Instead of using chemical-laced air fresheners, how about making your own? Use bunches of fresh herbs or beautifully scented flowers. Not only do they smell fabulous, but they make your home look pretty too.

Cleaning Products

Who'd have thought that cleaning products could be bad for your home? You clean your homes to get rid of bacteria, but you could be unwittingly harming our health.

Many household cleaning products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that linger in your indoor air. VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and skin problems.

Need to make some changes to your cleaning regime? Try these tips:

• Look for the EPA Safer Choice label on cleaning products
• Always rinse work surfaces thoroughly with water after spraying with a cleaner.
• Use natural products like baking soda, vinegar, and boiling water
• Ventilate your home when cleaning by opening all the windows where possible.

Dry Cleaning

Cleaning your home isn't the only way toxins enter your indoor air. For example, cleaning your clothes can also cause potential pollution.

Ever noticed the chemical smell on your clothes after they've been to the dry cleaners? A chemical called perchloroethylene causes the odor, and it's this chemical that can also cause harm to your health.

After picking clothes up from the dry cleaners, always hang them in a ventilated garage to allow the chemical to vaporize safely.

Glue, Paints, and Other Craft Supplies

Children love to cut, stick and paint. But even though you buy non-toxic craft supplies, most glue, paints, and pens emit toxic fumes and need to be used safely.

If possible, it's best to carry out craft activities outdoors, especially if it involves spray paints, aerosols, or solvents.

When crafting, follow these guidelines:

• Open windows if indoors
• Only use small amounts of glue and paint
• Use non-toxic crayons rather than marker pens
• Use water-based paints

Cookware and the Dangers of Teflon

Nobody likes scrubbing pots and pans after cooking, which is why Teflon non-stick cookware is so popular. Although it saves time washing up, it can pose a risk to your health if heated to very high temperatures. Teflon releases harmful fumes when heated at temperatures higher than 500 degrees.

If you don't want to invest in new pans, stick to these basic principles:

• Throw away any damaged pans where the Teflon is cracked or peeling
• Ventilate the kitchen and cook on a low heat
• Use wooden utensils, so you don't scratch the surface

Chimneys, Open Fireplaces, and Log Burners

If you're burning wood on an open fire, there's a chance that your house is filled with more than just warmth. Smoke is a mixture of gas and fine particles that linger in the air. Breathing in these particles can cause a range of respiratory diseases and even heart disease.

But there's no need to stop warming your toes by the fire on a cold evening. Follow these tips, and you'll breathe a little easier:

• Never burn household rubbish or plastics
• Clean your chimney and flue regularly
• Only burn dry seasoned wood
• Try to keep fires to a minimum

Tobacco Smoke

If you smoke tobacco, you probably already know the dangers it poses to your health. But do you know that you put other people at risk each time you light up, especially if you smoke in the home?

Secondhand smoke, or passive smoking, is a Class A carcinogen. What's more, according to the EPA, there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

For your health and the health of others, quit smoking. If you must smoke, do so outdoors and reduce the pollution in your home.

 

PARTICLE POLLUTION AND HEART DISEASE

Particle pollution - also called particulate matter (PM) - is made up of particles (tiny pieces) of solids or liquids in the air. Research shows that short- and long-term exposure to particulate pollution, are both linked to an increase risk of heart attacks and other forms of heart disease. Learn more here

IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY WITH WHOLE HOME AIR PURIFIERS AND CENTRAL AIR FILTRATION

It's not easy to eliminate all traces of pollution from your home. The best way to tackle harmful toxins is to install a ventilation system and a Whole-Home Air Purifier.

Whole-Home Air Purifiers, eliminate odors, VOCs, kill harmful germs, and help keep your house smelling fresh – That means no more need for those harmful cleaning products and air fresheners.

To remove Air Particulates, replace your cheap filters with a centrally located High-Efficiency Air filter, Like the Trane CleanEfftects, and never change your filter again! Learn more here

Want to Rid Your House of Harmful Pollutants? Call ProSkill Services Today!

Get in touch with our Indoor Air Quality experts and breathe easier knowing your home is a pollution-free zone.