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Posts Tagged ‘Indoor’

According to the American Medical Association 94% of all respiratory ailments are caused by polluted air. Below are outlined the most important facts to consider about indoor air pollution:

1. Over 40 million Americans suffer from allergies and 17 million struggle with asthma

2. More than 1,500 hazardous substances may be found in the typical American home. What happens when you take this polluted air into your lungs? – Allergies, asthma, dizziness, sinus issues, ear infections, headaches, nausea, and respiratory infections. Indeed, about 50 million Americans suffer from allergies and asthma, and this equates to 9 million doctor visits per year!

3. Bacteria and molds promote poor indoor air quality.

4. Pets and tobacco smoke significantly contribute into indoor air pollution

5. According to the EPA, “indoor pollution can be as much as 100 times greater than outdoors.”

Those particularly vulnerable to indoor pollutants include infants, people with heart, lung diseases and asthma. Additionally, anyone with extreme sensitivity to chemicals might want to seriously consider using an air purifier.

There are various types of air purifiers, so you can buy a purifier that fits your needs and wallet. The most common are:

HEPA Filters (High Efficiency Particulate Air): The air goes through a specially designed filter, cleaning 99.7% of the pollutants from the air. To understand how the HEPA process works, imagine a filter that only allows very tiny particles to pass through. If you placed a single sheet of this HEPA paper in front of a fan, very little air would be able to pass because of the small size of the holes.

Ionic Indoor Pollution Air Purifiers works by causing particles in the air to have a slight charge, particles are attracted to either a metal plate or to surfaces in the area. Most people are unaware that there are at least 4 different types of ionic air purifier in use today.

Ionizers have been around for many years. Have you ever felt like getting outside to get a breath of fresh air? Interestingly enough, some scientists point to +/- ions as part of the reason for outside air “feeling right”. Combined with other methods, it can be extremely effective.

Carbon air purifiers: Activated carbon air filters consist of a system of pores that are tiny in size. These pores are highly absorbent, chemically reacting to particles that pass through them and the particles and odors actually bond with the carbon. Note that most carbon activated devices also incorporate HEPA technology, thereby combining the advantages of both types of technology

Ultra-violet Indoor Pollution Air Purifiers work by passing a ultra-violet beam through the air, which damages the DNA of biological pollutants affecting their reproduction system.

Ozone is a highly reactive oxidant that destroys certain bacteria, chemicals, bacteria and chemicals. Ozone Air Purifiers also reduce gases, odors, VOCs, and microorganisms.

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If you were asked to name a region that contains an enormous amount of air pollution, what would come to mind? More than likely, you would think of heavily polluted metropolitan centers like Beijing or Los Angeles. Actually, you don’t have to look at large scale cities to see significant pollution. This is because large quantities of air pollution already exist inside your own home. No, the pollution is not in the form of industrial chemicals. Common, average, everyday matter and items have the potential to create a home health hazard. That is why it is important to be on the lookout for problematic components that create a number of pollution related problems.

What common items can create a safety hazard inside the home? Believe it or not, something a seemingly benign as dust can create a hazard. If dust collects to the point its presence is so thick, the occupants are ingesting it when they breathe, something must be done as soon as possible. It is never a good thing to inhale pollutants. When collected in high enough volumes, the presence of dust in the air is not good for the occupants’ safety.

Mold is another problem that presents itself when without warning. Even if you clean your kitchen or bathroom regularly, mold may collect in small quantities. If you are not thorough in cleaning these rooms, a huge mold outbreak can occur. Much like dust, mold can present a number of respiratory hazards when its presence reaches high enough volumes. So, when cleaning the rooms is not enough, it becomes necessary to purchase a humidifier to completely rid the room of said mold.

And, yes, anytime you have chemicals in your home you will experience the risk of ingesting polluted air. Now, when people hear about chemical pollutants, they will assume you are referring to extremely potent and powerful pollutants. Well, have you varnished a table and now discovered the aroma of varnish vapors are in the air? Perhaps you have used bleach or ammonia to clean a room. Do you sense the acrid smell of these liquids? Is so, the air you are inhaling may be rife with impurities. Yes, air pollution can develop from any foreign substance that enters the air. There are many common household chemicals that can corrupt the air you breathe. That’s why you have to be very aware of their presence and air out a room when it gets to thick.

Indoor air pollution – is it a problem? Everyone knows about air pollution affecting urban areas and industrial regions. Mexico City and Southeast Asia have hit the headlines. But wherever there are cities and industry there is pollution, from industrial effluents and the omnipresent automobile.

But indoors? The fact is that indoor air can be one hundred times more polluted than outdoor air. As the majority of people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, this is a cause for concern.

“Sick building syndrome” is a phenomenon which emerged in the 1970s when, to conserve energy as well as to provide a more comfortable draught-free environment, many naturally ventilated buildings were superceded by airtight air-conditioned buildings. It is used to describe a situation in which a substantial proportion of a building’s occupants report a number of symptoms while occupying that building. It is estimated that as many as one third of U.S. buildings suffer from sick building syndrome. Symptoms experienced by people vary as widely as drowsiness, lethargy, nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness and respiratory problems.

What are the sources of indoor air pollution? Tobacco smoke is a major culprit, with its lethal cocktail of toxic chemicals. Insulation, synthetic fabrics, treated wood and carpets,

especially when new, release potentially harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde, into the air. When this air is recycled indefinitely, high concentration levels can be reached. Printers and copiers emit toxic gases. Then there are chemicals used in the manufacture of computers, especially those added to VDUs as fire retardants, which emit high levels of pollutants when new. Even cleaning solvents make their contribution to the pollution. In some cases, prolonged exposure to this mixture can cause chemical sensitivities which may be difficult to cure.

How can indoor air pollution be dealt with? Potted plants can improve room air quality. They reduce levels of carbon dioxide and increase oxygen levels. Among the most effective are spider plants, rubber plants and yucca. Plants can even be used to monitor pollution. Plants can wither from pollutants before people start to sicken from them.

Regular maintenance of air conditioning systems is essential in centrally-controlled air-conditioned buildings. This should include coil, fins and filters for the equipment to function effectively. The most important maintenance task is cleaning or replacement of filters. Not only do clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow, but also can directly reduce the effective working life of the equipment. Not to be overlooked is the correct

installation of air-conditioning systems in the first place. Air intake ducts need to be properly located. If they are placed in polluted areas, the system will actually bring polluted air into the building.

For further information on filter media for air conditioning systems, please visit http://www.irema.com

Indoor air pollutants can often be hazardous within a home. Charlotte House and Commercial Cleaning Services advise families, as well as business offices, to take cautious measures.

Pollutants that normally affect air quality in a home fall into the two following categories:

Gaseous pollutants – These pollutants come from combustion processes including: gas cooking stoves, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke. They also come from building materials, furnishings, and the use of products such as adhesives, paints, varnishes, cleaning products, and pesticides.

Particulate matter – These include dust, smoke, pollen, animal dander, tobacco smoke, and particles generated from combustion appliances such as cooking stoves, and particles associated with tiny organisms such as dust mites, molds, bacteria, and viruses.

As a consumer, when making decisions about using air cleaning devices it is best to always consider:

Installation – In-duct air cleaning devices have certain installation requirements that must be met, such as adequate access for inspection during use, repairs, or maintenance.

Major Costs – These include the original purchase, maintenance (such as cleaning or replacing filters and parts), and operation (such as electricity).
 
Noise – Noise may be an issue with portable air cleaners containing a fan. Portable air cleaners without a fan are typically much less effective than those with an actual fan.

Odors – Air cleaning devices designed for particle removal are unable of controlling gases and certain types of odors. The odor and many of the carcinogenic gas-phase pollutants from tobacco smoke will still remain in a home or office space.

Soiling of Walls and Other Surfaces – Ion generators generally are not intended to remove the charged particles that they produce from the air. These charged particles may leave on room surfaces, soiling walls and other similar surfaces.

About Charlotte House and Commercial Cleaning Services

With a strong reputation for diligence, Bucket ‘n’ Broom Charlotte House and Commercial Cleaning Services provides the utmost quality of professional maid service cleaning and customer service. Serving the home and office needs of Charlotte, NC, Bucket ‘n’ Broom provides more than the ability to just clean. Services include general cleaning, deep cleaning, bathroom and kitchen cleaning, special occasion cleaning, and post construction cleaning.

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Product Description
Environmental: Indoor Air Pollution Product Description Indications for Use: Eye/Throat/Lung Irritation, headache, breathing difficulties, fatigue, nausea, body aches & pains and mild depression from indoor… More >>

Indoor air pollution belongs to one of the top five environmental health risks. It is a fact that air pollutants in your home may be containing harmful particles for our health. It is a wise way to control it or even to eliminate it. However, it is better to know the harmful particles that come in the air in your home.

What are the pollutants that come in indoor air pollution?

Generally, indoor air pollution contains pollutants, such as particulate matters and gaseous pollutants. Those particulate matters include dust, smoke, animal dander, pollen, tobacco smoke or other particles which are generated from the combustion appliances such as cooking stoves. It can also contain tiny organism such as viruses, bacteria, dust mites, and molds.

The gaseous pollutants are mostly generated from the process of combustion including vehicle exhaust, gas cooking stoves, and also tobacco smoke. Building material can also bring pollutants such as paints, adhesives, cleaning products, pesticides, and varnishes.

How to cope with indoor air pollution?

There are some ways you can do to cope with your indoor air pollution. The first thing you can do is to give ventilation for your home with clean outdoor air. However, if the contaminants come to the outdoor environment, you have to find an alternative. This cleaning device can be a good option for your problem.  

Air cleaning device is designed to be able to remove virtually all the pollutants contained in the indoor environment. There are basically two types of air cleaning device, whole house air and portable air cleaning device. Portable air cleaner is ideal for small room or specific are. Meanwhile, whole house air cleaner can cover larger area in your home.

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Many people do not realize how dependant we are on the environment for our overall health and well being. Realizing this dependence has lead to a greater number of people who endeavor to maintain an eco-friendly lifestyle. You can make a small number of changes to your everyday habits that will save you money and will be better for the environment. You can also decrease the amount of indoor air pollution in your home, improving your health.

Even if you maintain your house diligently, there will still be pollutants inside your home. The most general kinds of pollutants are microbial contaminants, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and asbestos fibers. Homeowners do not have to simply accept indoor air pollution. Instead, you can make your home’s levels of pollutants much lower through a few simple steps.

The types of contaminants known as microbial contaminants are made up of mold and bacteria. Adjusting your cleaning strategies can reduce the amount of bacteria in your home. The best way to combat mold is to be conscious of the possibility of mold, and to be conscientious in trying to prevent growth. If you keep your home’s humidity level at fifty percent, you can reduce the amount of mold that is able to grow in your home. Also, make sure your home is well ventilated. A home with stagnant air will allow an assortment of microbial contaminants to thrive. Another way to make sure mold is reduced as much as possible is to eliminate all types of water leaks from your home. Without a damp, humid place to grow, mold cannot flourish.

Chemicals such as carbon monoxide can be reduced within the interior of your home as well. Many pollutants can be minimized by utilizing “green” cleaning products instead of the traditional chemically based ones. Natural products can cleanse just as well if not even better than chemical products, and there is no chemical remains left in your home to pollute the air. Refraining from smoking indoors will also help to dramatically reduce carbon monoxide levels as well as making sure that your central heating system is functioning efficiently. Many space heaters also cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home. If it is necessary to use a space heater, make certain that it is an electric one that is functioning properly and does not have any faulty wiring.

Carbon dioxide commonly makes an entrance into your home through the garage door from your automobile exhaust. Make sure that the seal around your garage door is tight. You may even consider minimizing the amount of time that your vehicle is left to run inside the garage as well without appropriate ventilation.

Older homes need to be checked for asbestos fibers. If you own a home that was constructed before 1979, you need to have it professionally checked for this hazard that has been banned for use in buildings. Asbestos fibers are found most commonly in flooring materials and in paint. If you home is identified for asbestos, then you need to have a professional remover come to your home and take the materials out. Keep in mind that removing asbestos is risky, so it is not a duty to take on by yourself. Asbestos fibers can cause cancer, so it is important to have your home checked. Improving air quality in your home will make you healthier and it will create a more environmentally friendly home.

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Unbelievably, the air within modern homes can be upwards of five times more polluted than outdoor air. When you also consider that we can spend up to ninety percent of our lives indoors, the term sick building syndrome should require little explanation. Outside air, unlike inside, is recycled repeatedly with pollutants such as tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust and pet dander all adding towards asthma and allergies.

There are various symptoms associated with so called sick building syndrome including sinus congestion, watery or itchy eyes, headaches, lethargy, lack of concentration and nausea. However, because several of these symptoms are similar to those of a common cold, it is not always easy to ascertain if indoor pollution is the cause or if it is because of some form of virus.

If you find that, the symptoms fade when you outside, you should try to discover inside air sources, which might be possible causes and endeavour to get rid of them. As luck would have it, indoor air pollution is one health hazard that you can do something about.

Here are seven easy measures you can take to improve the air quality in your home.

1. Banish Smoking Inside the Home

Ideally, you should ban smoking anywhere inside the home but if this is not possible, try to confine it to one place. In our case, if friends or family, who are also smokers, visit, they are either banished to the back yard or the kitchen area. If you have an extractor fan installed in the kitchen, make sure that it is turned on and try to have smokers stand reasonably close to the fan so that the fumes are sucked out.

2. Open Your Windows Once In a While

If it is not freezing cold or blowing a gale outside, let some outdoor air in by opening your windows and doors every now and then. Doing so will also remove some of the pollutants that have built up within your house.

3. Chuck out Those Chemical Cleaners

If you have ever taken the time to study the labels on household cleaning products, most of them will include a warning about how harmful the chemicals are for your health or skin. Every time you use that product, fumes from whatever is in the bottle are released into the air for you to inhale. I have quite often started coughing after spraying counter tops with so called anti-bacterial cleaner. Not any longer though, as my natural housecleaning products of choice are now baking soda, washing soda, vinegar and pure lemon juice. These are all non-toxic, environmentally friendly and can tackle the majority of cleaning chores, either separately or combined with one another.

4. Clean and Dust Your Home on a Regular Basis

Although it might seem obvious to some folks, regularly vacuuming your carpets and flooring can go a long way in controlling airborne allergens and dust. It is claimed that some 70% of all household dust is composed of dead skin, which we humans shed day in and day out. Dust mites in turn feed upon the dead skin that falls from our bodies. They then grow and shed their own skin and it is this together with their faeces that cause allergic reactions in people.

5. Pet Dander Triggers Allergies

If you have a family pet, they will shed dander that can trigger allergies and asthma. Something needs to be done if you suspect that either you or another household member is allergic to pet dander. Ideally, it is best to keep pets out of the house altogether although that is seldom possible. As a viable alternative, try to restrict the rooms that the pet is allowed into. One definite area to keep them out of is the bedroom.

6. Reduce Indoors Air Humidity

If the climate where you live is either very humid or just plain damp (as in too much rainfall), you will no doubt be aware of just how much moisture levels within your house can increase. This excessive moisture or humidness is the ideal breeding conditions for mold. For anyone with allergies, mold spores can cause as many health problems as airborne dust. Dehumidifiers can be a godsend in a humid environment since they are capable of removing excess dampness from the surrounding air; thereby keeping mold and the resulting spores at bay.

7. Get an Indoor Air Purifier

Home air purifiers or room air cleaners do as their name suggests and clean the air of pollutants and allergens such as mold spores, pollen, cigarette smoke and pet dander. Besides being used to reduce the concentration of these airborne contaminants, they are especially useful for people who suffer from allergies and asthma attacks. Air purifiers and room air cleaners are quickly increasing in popularity because they make indoor air healthier and cleaner.