Purifying Indoor Air: Strategies To Combat Pollution

Weathering indoor pollution is a tricky business. While weatherization can reduce the amount of outdoor air infiltrating your home, it can also increase concentrations of indoor air pollutants from sources inside the home. The federal government recommends that homes be weatherized to reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, but it's important to take steps to minimize indoor pollution while this is happening. The most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. Opening windows and doors, operating fans, and running air conditioners with the vent control open can increase the outdoor ventilation rate, but it's also important to be aware of activities that can generate high levels of pollutants, such as painting, cooking, and sanding.

Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors

Opening windows and doors is one of the most effective ways to increase ventilation and reduce indoor air pollution. Most home heating and cooling systems do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house, so opening windows and doors can increase the outdoor ventilation rate. This is particularly important when engaging in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants, such as painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, cooking, or maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding.

It is also recommended to operate window or attic fans, or to run a window air conditioner with the vent control open, to further increase the ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can also be used to remove contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located.

In addition to increasing ventilation, it is important to take steps to minimise the release of pollutants indoors. This can include sealing or enclosing sources of pollution, such as asbestos, or adjusting emissions from sources such as gas stoves. It is also recommended to reduce or restrict the use of consumer products that produce ozone, such as residential laundry water treatment systems and ozone fruit and vegetable washers.

Weatherization measures, such as installing storm windows, weather stripping, caulking, and blown-in wall insulation, can also help to reduce the amount of outdoor air infiltrating into a home. However, it is important to note that these measures can also increase the concentrations of indoor air pollutants from sources inside the home. Therefore, it is crucial to take steps to minimise indoor pollution sources during weatherization.

Seal or enclose sources of pollution

One of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to seal or enclose sources of pollution. This can be done by identifying sources of pollution in the home and taking steps to prevent or minimise the release of pollutants. For example, if you have asbestos in your home, you can seal or enclose it to prevent the release of asbestos fibres into the air. Other sources of pollution, such as gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions they release.

It is also important to increase ventilation and outdoor air coming indoors. This can be done by opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors can also help to remove contaminants directly from the room.

In addition to sealing or enclosing sources of pollution, it is also important to reduce the use of high-emitting products, such as paint, glue, caulk, candles and incense. These products can release chemicals into the air that can contribute to indoor air pollution. It is recommended to use these products outdoors when possible or to increase ventilation when using them indoors.

Another way to reduce indoor air pollution is to choose building materials and furnishings that are labelled as California Phase II Compliant or TSCA Title VI Compliant. These labels indicate that the products have been tested and found to have lower emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to indoor air pollution.

By sealing or enclosing sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, reducing the use of high-emitting products, and choosing low-emission building materials and furnishings, you can effectively improve indoor air quality and reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants.

Reduce emissions from gas stoves

To reduce emissions from gas stoves, you can:

• Use an exhaust fan above your gas stove that's vented to the outdoors.
• Insert a metal rod into the flame to lower the temperature and reduce NO2 emissions.
• Turn off the pilot light, if it burns 24 hours a day.
• Reduce the amount of time you run your stove by using electric kettles and pressure cookers.
• Buy an electric cooktop.
• Increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors by opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open.

In general, to reduce indoor pollution, you can:

• Increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors.
• Open windows and doors, operate window or attic fans, or run a window air conditioner with the vent control open.
• Use high-emitting products outdoors when possible, or increase ventilation when using products or engaging in activities indoors that may generate pollutants.
• Reduce or restrict the use of consumer products that produce ozone, such as residential laundry water treatment systems, ozone fruit and vegetable washers, and/or ozone hair and facial tools.

Use high-emitting products outdoors

Using high-emitting products outdoors is one way to reduce indoor air pollution. High-emitting products include paint, glue, caulk, candles and incense. Using these outdoors will reduce the amount of pollutants that enter your home.

If you are unable to use these products outdoors, you should increase ventilation when using them indoors. Open windows and doors when the weather permits, or turn on local exhaust fans. If you are cooking, always turn on your kitchen range hood and set it to the highest fan speed when possible.

It is particularly important to take these steps when engaging in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants. These activities include painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, cooking, or maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding.

In addition to increasing ventilation, you can also take steps to eliminate individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. For example, you can seal or enclose sources that contain asbestos, or adjust gas stoves to decrease the amount of emissions.

Reduce use of ozone-producing consumer products

The most effective way to protect yourself from indoor air pollution is to prevent or minimise the release of pollutants indoors. This can be achieved by reducing the use of ozone-producing consumer products, such as residential laundry water treatment systems, ozone fruit and vegetable washers, and ozone hair and facial tools.

Ozone is a gas that can be harmful to human health, particularly for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma. When inhaled, ozone can irritate the airways, causing coughing, throat irritation and chest pain. It can also worsen asthma symptoms and reduce lung function, making it more difficult to breathe.

To reduce your exposure to ozone and improve indoor air quality, it is recommended to limit the use of ozone-producing products. For example, instead of using an ozone laundry system, you can opt for traditional laundry detergents and washing machines that do not produce ozone. Similarly, for fruit and vegetable washing, you can use alternative methods such as soaking produce in a vinegar or baking soda solution, or simply washing them with water.

In addition to reducing the use of ozone-producing products, increasing ventilation and outdoor air exchange can also help to dilute and remove indoor air pollutants. Opening windows and doors, operating fans, and using air conditioning with the vent control open are effective ways to increase ventilation and improve indoor air quality.

By taking these measures, you can significantly reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants, including ozone, and create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.

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