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Winter Air Quality
indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the levels indoor air pollutants may be two to five times higher than outside levels of contamination. Given that most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, indoor air quality has a great impact on our daily lives. In addition, indoor air pollutants are the main factors triggers of asthma and allergies.
Why winter is the indoor air quality worse
The houses are built to be energy (And therefore cost) effective way to keep warm in winter and keep heat in the summer. Winter weather pushes property owners to seal cracks in the insulation that could allow cold drafts in the house. This, in turn, also seals out of the house while the fresh air and raises the levels of these two allergens and pollutants in the home.
Pollutant home
Pollutants in the home come from a variety of sources. The first step to ensuring that his family is as clean as possible, is knowing where they come from contaminants. Here is a list of common sources of indoor air pollution:
Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood. All devices that use any of these fuels can cause pollution indoor air. These devices include wood stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, dryers and stoves. It is essential to ensure that these appliances are well maintained and adjusted to not release dangerous levels of pollution in the home. Heating systems are a type of combustion source. (Another reason that pollution Indoor air can be worse in winter.)
Building materials and furniture, ranging from insulation, carpets, cabinets or furniture wood particleboard. The types of pollutants in the home these items can harbor and spread are varied, including volatile organic compounds, molds and mites.
Cleaning and maintenance of products, personal care products, air fresheners, for example, release pollutants continuously.
activities or hobbies, home improvement, including painting, varnishing, sanding, welding, adhesives and more. Basically, if there is smoke, probably not good for you or your breathing, filling home with her, especially when the house is tight against the cold winter – and the health of the circulation of fresh air.
External sources such as radon, pollen, lead, and more. Radon is present in the soil that produces the decay of uranium and can seep into the house. Pesticides, pollen, lead and other outdoor pollutants can be controlled by people or pets in the home, where his increasingly concentrated.
Animals – Pet dander and other particles of fur or feathers are a significant worsening of allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals. As more people stay indoors, leaving the animals to street unless the weather is mild.
Common Household Pollutants
The next step to ensure you protect your family against pollution indoor air pollutants are to know what you can know how to deal with them. Here is a list of most allergens and pollutants that affect air quality inside.
Molde – When the windows are tightly closed against the cold air, steam bath and kitchen, and other Moisture can accumulate in the house. Mold reproduce by spores, which are converted in the air and are easily inhaled.
Pet dander – because business is very very light and small, animal dander allergens is one of the most irritating and difficult to remove. Indoor concentrations are particularly high during the winter when animals and people spend more time at home.
Mites – Because you spend more time indoors during the winter, dust mites food Concentration – the elimination of human skin cells – is increasing as the population of dust mites. The mites are present where dust, including household surfaces, upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets, and especially the beds.
Polen – though less of a problem in winter, flowers Winter plants whose pollen can be tracked inside. In addition, fluctuations in climate may cause plants to flower earlier than normal.
The biological contaminants – In addition to mold, pollen, dust mites and animal dander, other germs, viruses and bacteria are present in the house.
snuff smoke (ETS) or second-hand smoke is also a major air pollutant in its interior.
Formaldehyde is a major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and often found in adhesives or other binders in carpets, upholstery, particle board, plywood and panels.
Several compounds volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and more, many other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in cleaning products, deodorants, cosmetics, laundry products and more. Gassing of volatile organic compounds household items (such as cleaning curtains or other furnishings dry clothes or particle board or cabinet) is also a source of volatile organic compounds.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that are flexible Microscopic and durable and does not burn. They are extremely lightweight, so they can remain in suspension and therefore easily inhaled. Many source components containing asbestos including roofing and flooring, insulation, heating, among others. These are only a problem if the asbestos is disturbed and becomes airborne, or when disintegrates with age.
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are the worst elements of air pollution emitted by sources combustion discussed above. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and interferes with the distribution of oxygen in the body. Symptoms of poisoning Carbon monoxide is a lack of coordination, headache, nausea, confusion, nausea, dizziness and fatigue, gas can also aggravate the disease cardiovascular disease. High levels can lead to death. Nitrogen dioxide is also colorless and odorless, and that irritates the mucous membranes, including eyes, nose and throat. Other effects include shortness of breath, respiratory tissue damage, and chronic bronchitis.
Lead – Lead may be present in the house to paint or dust. Older homes use lead paint and peeling paint or cracked pieces of lead paint Once the dust and paint, two types of pollutants harmful, especially if small children at home.
Effects of Air Quality Poor quality interior
The immediate effects of quality Indoor air can occur after a single exposure and include headache, dizziness, fatigue and itchy eyes, nose and throat. Asthma and chemical sensitivity can also be aggravated by exposure to indoor air pollution. sensitivity can also be chronic after repeated exposure.
Although it remains unclear what exposure levels or periods are needed to get serious about the health effects of indoor air pollution, long- period of indoor air pollution are respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.
Improving Air Quality indoors
The EPA recommends three basic strategies to improve the quality of indoor air control source, improving ventilation and air filters or purifiers.
Improved indoor air quality through source control involves the elimination of pollution sources. gas emissions, such as a range in poor condition, for example, can be adjusted to reduce their emissions, asbestos can be sealed or closed. Often, source control is more aware of costs to remedy the poor air quality ventilation because increased ventilation can greatly increase energy costs.
However, increased ventilation is an easy and efficient to poor indoor air control by providing fresh air circulation. Especially since most systems furnace does not bring fresh air to the house, opening doors and windows when the weather allows provides very useful.
You can easily check if your home can ventilation problems. Condensation on walls or windows, air congestion areas, mold, or heating or cooling are dirty all indicators. Odors (which are most noticeable at the entrance of the house from the outside) are also an indication of poor ventilation.
Where there completed the renovation of many hobbies, or are particularly important to understand the need for adequate ventilation. Without ventilation, contaminants such as those issued in painting, welding, sanding, or even kitchen toxic elements can add to your family.
final recommendation by the EPA in its three-pronged approach to improve indoor air quality is using an air purifier. When you invest in an air purifier, it is important to understand all the factors involved. For example, Most air purifiers capture particles, but not remove gases and other chemicals. Activated carbon filters are necessary to eliminate gases and chemicals. It is also important to obtain an air purifier that has adequate capacity to fill the position. This depends on factors such as levels of pollutants, the sensitivity and room size.
Here are some tips for maintaining healthy indoor air, especially during the winter:
Regularly clean – dust safely with the proper equipment cleaning cloths such as dust masks, and vacuuming regularly and often go a long way in reducing air pollutants such as mold, pollen, animal dander, dust mites y.
Replace furnace filters frequently – With their winter heating, the furnace filter works hard to maintain air quality. Make sure the ventilation is not impeded – or worse, that contaminants do not play in the air you breathe – check your filters regularly and replace need.
Radon testing – the Directorate General of Health warns that radon causes lung cancer and recommends testing your home. The EPA website has more information on radon testing.
Consider buy a device for detecting carbon monoxide to notify you of the presence of this colorless, odorless and deadly.
Use nontoxic cleaning products. Especially when cleaning in the winter, when ventilation is generally lower, chemical vapors "Stay inside the house and clean surfaces with them.
Keep the bed clean. Wash bedding regularly (once a week) in warm water or with an additive of clothes for mites. Cover mattresses and pillows with dust mite covers.
Find products with low VOC or not to do hobbies or renovation projects. If possible, wait until spring when you can open windows for ventilation.
Free dry cleaning chemicals such as formaldehyde from dry cleaned fabrics. Consider alternatives Air dry cleaning or dry-cleaned items in the garage or yard before bringing indoors or in your closet.
clean air and mold-prone areas of the house. Sure bathrooms, kitchens and basements, which tend to accumulate extra moisture and can not receive adequate ventilation was issued regularly and mold cleanup.
Open windows and doors whenever possible. If you fear that outdoor pollutants may enter your home, use a filter window.
Equipped air purifiers filters HEPA do a great job of filtering particulate air pollutants. Carbon filters are required to remove gases, odors and chemicals products in the air.
Many plants are known as air purifiers because of the nature of its ability to absorb air toxins. Just know that mold often develops around plants, especially if irrigated frequently.
Understand the sources of indoor pollutants and what they are and how to combat, is the first step to keep the air in your house clean. Due to the combined factors of more time indoors and decreased ventilation, winter is the time to pay particular attention to maintaining a healthy indoor air quality. But make sure your home is as free as possible from indoor pollutants is important for throughout the year.
About the Author
Scott Smith is an expert on indoor air quality and
air purifiers at achooallergy.com
.
Stefan Bucher
