Purifying Home Air: Natural Ways To Breathe Easy

Air pollution poses a serious threat to our health, and the air inside our homes can be even more polluted than the air outdoors. The good news is that we can improve our indoor air quality. Daily activities like cooking, cleaning, and home improvement projects can create air pollution in the home, and certain household items like gas stoves, furniture, carpets, and cleaning supplies can also pollute indoor air quality. Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: reducing dust, reducing humidity, and changing appliance filters regularly.

How to clean air pollution at home:

Use a damp cloth for dusting and a vacuum with a HEPA filter

Dust is composed of fibres from clothing and rugs, hair, dead skin cells, and even chemicals from the grime that your shoes pick up from the street. Using a dry cloth to dust your house can put dust back into the air, so it is recommended to use a damp cloth or a microfiber cloth for dusting. This will trap the dust instead of putting it back into the air.

Similarly, when vacuuming, it is important to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air filter. According to the EPA, they can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and many other airborne particles. Air cleaners are machines that filter the air in your home, so it is also recommended to get one with a HEPA filter to remove fine particles.

In addition to using a damp cloth for dusting and a vacuum with a HEPA filter, there are other ways to improve indoor air quality. For example, it is important to reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and to reduce humidity to avoid mould and mildew buildup. It is also a good idea to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.

Furthermore, indoor plants can help improve indoor air quality by filtering out common volatile organic compounds. For example, spider plants are effective at reducing benzene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide. However, it is important to note that the dirt outside can carry pesticides, pollen, fungi, bacteria, and feces, so it is recommended to take off your shoes before entering your house.

Take off your shoes at the door

Taking off your shoes at the door is a great way to reduce indoor air pollution. The soles of shoes can carry a range of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants that can affect indoor air quality and cause adverse health effects.

According to researchers at the University of Houston, about 40% of shoes carry Clostridium difficile (C. diff), a type of bacteria that can cause severe diarrhoea and colon inflammation. Shoes can also pick up allergens, lawn chemicals, heavy metals, asphalt toxins, and pesticides, which can be tracked into your home. These contaminants can be inhaled, causing respiratory issues, especially for those with asthma or allergies.

By leaving your shoes at the door, you can prevent these contaminants from being brought into your home and reduce the amount of dust and dirt that accumulates indoors. This is especially important if your home was built before 1978, as older homes are more likely to contain lead-based paint that can chip and turn into dangerous dust.

If you plan to enforce a "no shoes in the house" rule, it is essential to ensure your home is as dust-free as possible. You can use the three-bucket method for cleaning: one bucket with an all-purpose cleaning solution, another for rinsing, and an empty bucket. Start mopping from the farthest point from the door and work your way towards it, using clean water to rinse as you go.

Additionally, providing a bin of fresh socks or disposable slippers by the door can be a considerate touch, ensuring your guests feel comfortable and prepared.

Avoid gas stoves, and scented air fresheners

Air pollution at home can be extremely hazardous to health, and indoor air can be even more polluted than the air outdoors. Cooking with gas stoves releases nitrogen dioxide and other toxic chemicals, including nitrogen oxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. These pollutants are health risks if not properly managed. Carbon monoxide, for example, can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue, disorientation, and even death. Exposure to nitrogen dioxide has been linked to reduced cognitive performance, especially in children.

Gas stoves may expose people to levels of air pollution that would be considered illegal outdoors. Even in the absence of food, gas combustion produces PM2.5, one of the deadliest air pollutants. Research suggests that gas cooking produces twice as much PM2.5 as electric cooking.

To reduce indoor air pollution, you can switch to electric appliances. Electric kettles, slow cookers, pressure cookers, rice cookers, toaster ovens, and microwaves are all alternatives to gas stoves. You can also use exhaust fans that move the air outdoors, and open windows while you cook.

Air fresheners are often used to mask unpleasant odors, but they can add volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants to the air. These include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene, which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as cause headaches and nausea. Liquid air fresheners, such as plug-in refill bottles and reed diffusers, typically contain fragrances and essential oils dissolved in a solvent like isopropyl alcohol. Solid air fresheners, such as cone-type products, usually contain the fragrance embedded in wax. Gel products, like evaporating beads, allow slow evaporation that prolongs the presence of the fragrance. Aerosol sprays use compressed gas propellants like butane, propane, or nitrogen.

The use of air fresheners has been associated with adverse health effects, including migraine headaches, asthma attacks, respiratory difficulties, dermatitis, and neurological problems. To improve indoor air quality, it is best to avoid using air fresheners and opt for fragrance-free alternatives.

Test your home for dangerous gases like radon

Testing your home for dangerous gases like radon is an important step in keeping the air in your home safe and protecting your family's health. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes from the soil through cracks in foundations, drains, and other openings. It is invisible, odourless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect without specific testing. Here are some detailed steps and information to help you test your home for radon and other dangerous gases:

Understand the Risks of Radon and Other Dangerous Gases: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When radon is released from the soil and becomes concentrated in enclosed spaces, it can be inhaled, increasing the risk of lung cancer over time. Other dangerous gases that may be present in homes include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These gases can come from various sources, such as gas stoves, unvented appliances, cigarette smoke, and certain household products.

Purchase a Radon Test Kit: Radon test kits are widely available online and at hardware stores. Look for a kit that meets your local guidelines and is approved by your regional radiation protection authority. These kits typically include detailed instructions and are relatively easy to use.

Conduct the Radon Test: Follow the instructions provided with your test kit carefully. Generally, you will need to place the test device in the lowest livable floor of your home, such as a basement or ground floor. The test device may be a charcoal canister or an electronic detector. It should be placed in a static location, undisturbed, for a specified amount of time, typically 2 to 7 days. Ensure that all windows and exterior doors are closed during the testing period to get accurate results.

Interpret the Results: After the testing period, you will need to send the test device or the data from the electronic detector to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will provide you with a radon level reading. Compare this reading to the reference levels provided by your local health authorities. If the radon level in your home exceeds the recommended level, take action to mitigate the problem.

Implement Radon Mitigation Measures: If high levels of radon are detected, consult with a professional radon mitigation specialist. They can recommend and install the appropriate radon reduction systems, such as sub-slab depressurization or positive pressurization. These systems work by preventing radon from entering your home or by drawing radon out and venting it outside.

Remember, testing for dangerous gases like radon is an essential step in ensuring the air quality in your home is safe. It is a simple and effective way to protect your family's health and prevent potential health risks associated with indoor air pollution.

Bring houseplants inside to filter out common volatile organic compounds

Houseplants are a great natural way to filter out common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from your home. VOCs are abundant in most indoor areas due to their presence in consumer products, building materials, and other mass-produced items. They vaporize at room temperature, and overexposure can lead to dizziness, headaches, and even more severe health issues in the long term.

Bringing houseplants inside can help mitigate these issues, as certain plants are adept at absorbing harmful toxins from the air. While it's still important to take safety precautions, such as ensuring proper ventilation, houseplants can act as natural air purifiers.

One of the most effective plants for removing VOCs is the Areca Palm, also known as the Butterfly Palm. This fast-growing houseplant can reach impressive heights of 10 to 12 feet. It thrives in loam-based potting soil and benefits from regular fertilization, except during winter. Keep the root ball damp and mist the plant frequently to deter insects and maintain its fresh appearance.

Another excellent option for VOC removal is the Dracaena. This easy-to-grow houseplant can reach 10 feet in height and has a spread of three feet. Dracaena prefers indirect sunlight or semi-shade and adapts well to lower light levels with reduced watering. Keep the soil evenly moist, and mist frequently with warm water, removing any dead leaves as they appear. Avoid fluoridated water, as Dracaena can be sensitive to fluoride.

By strategically placing these and other air-purifying plants, such as the Lady Palm and the Snake Plant, you can effectively filter out common volatile organic compounds and improve the overall air quality in your home.

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