Purchase an air quality monitor There is a range of indoor air quality monitors on the market that cost as little as $25 to high-quality professional-grade models that will set you back over $2000. These devices typically detect temperature, humidity, VOCs and PM2.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Each day, you can find out what the air quality is like by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) for where you live. The AQI tells you when high levels of air pollution are predicted for the day. You can use that information to plan for safe and healthy physical activity.
EPA's AirNow mobile app provides a simple interface for quickly checking current and forecast air quality information for planning daily activities and protecting your health.
Pesticides. Radon (Rn) Indoor Particulate Matter. Secondhand Smoke/ Environmental Tobacco Smoke.
Though having more houseplants and targeting contaminants at the source can both help to improve your home air quality, the best way to clean your home air is by far to use an air purifier. Air purifiers are designed specifically to draw air in, remove impurities and cycle the clean air back into your home.
Indoor air pollution is usually caused by the accumulation of contaminants from various sources inside a home. Emissions from fireplaces, stoves, cigarettes, cleaning products, newer building materials, and chemicals stored in the home can cause indoor air problems.
Purchase an air quality monitor.
These devices typically check PM2. 5 levels (tiny dust particles and other allergens in the air that you inhale), VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds – like chemical pollutants), temperature, and humidity (for mold).
No purifier can capture all of the pollutants and particles that travel through a room, but depending on the type of filter used, they may capture many allergens and other unwanted substances. Many air purifiers feature HEPA filters that capture particles, including dust, pollen, and some mold spores.
You'll likely use a mold test kit with tape strips to lift a sample for surface testing. Or, you might use a swab to send a sample into a lab or spread a sample on a petri dish for evaluation. When testing the air for mold, the best option is typically an air pump that collects samples for evaluation in a laboratory.
They improve air quality and reduce the likelihood of mold and mildew growth. When installing an exhaust fan, it's important to ensure that the fan is ducted to the exterior of the house and not just into an attic.
A 2017 study found that people who lived in areas with high levels of outdoor air pollution were 60% more likely to sleep poorly than those in regions with less pollution. Another study found poor ventilation can also lead to restless nights and groggy mornings.
Beeswax and soy candles usually burn cleaner than paraffin wax. Furthermore, beeswax candles can actually clean your air by releasing some negative ions that easily bind with toxins to help eliminate them from your indoor air.
So, does boiling vinegar actually clean the air? The short answer is no, as far as current scientific research is concerned. Acetic acid, the active component of vinegar, is capable of killing pathogens, but only through direct contact.
According to the study, the top workhorse plants for air purification are Golden Pothos, Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Snake Plant, English Ivy, Dracaena, Bamboo Palm, Dragon Tree, Lady Palm, and Spider Plant.
An air purifier will clear the air of common allergens in your home, which will reduce potential triggers so that you can breathe easy. Literally. A humidifier, on the other hand, can help to reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms including congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, sinus pain, and inflammation.
Liven up stale and stuffy air by simmering whole spices and citrus peels. To a large pot of water, add 1/4 cup whole cloves, 4 whole nutmegs, 6 cinnamon sticks, and the peel of 2 lemons or one orange.
You can also bring in pollen and smoke. Leaks around doors and windows can let polluted outdoor air in too. Indoor air also has allergens, such as dust, pet dander, and mold. Building materials, furniture, carpets, scents, and cleaners can release chemicals into the air.
Typical pollutants of concern include: Combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and environmental tobacco smoke. Substances of natural origin such as radon, pet dander, and mold. Biological agents such as molds.
The most common indoor air pollutants include:
Carbon Monoxide. Cookstoves and Heaters. Formaldehyde. Lead (Pb)