DON’T LET BAD AIR CRASH YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON

The cooler the weather gets, the more time families will spend snuggled into their homes and battening down the hatches against Winter. The extra time spent together can be enjoyable, but there’s nothing fun about what all that family togetherness is doing to your home’s air.

See, you’re probably aware of the dangers of pollution, smog and allergens outside your home – but you may not know that your indoor air has the potential to be even more dangerous. The issue has become so pressing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun to address it with special studies.

THE RESULTS

“EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA and its Science Advisory Board have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health.”

If that sounds scary to you, well, that’s because it is – especially when you consider that about 90% of your time – and your family’s – is spent indoors. Hidden dangers like dust mites, molds, mildew, viruses and allergens increase the likelihood or irritate certain health conditions. For children and the elderly, this is especially dangerous.

TIP-OFFS

Irritated eyes, nose and throat are some of the first indicators of poor indoor air quality. Since these symptoms can also accompany colds, the flu or viruses, it’s important to pay attention to when and where the symptoms begin. Don’t be afraid to play detective. Dust or dirt around heating or air vents, on ceilings or stained walls should alert you that there is a problem.

TAKE ACTION

Do what you can to reduce indoor pollutants – that means not smoking indoors, using air-friendly cleaning supplies and keeping pets groomed.
Invest in high quality filters for your home comfort system. The more the filter can get out of the air, the fewer harmful particles you’re breathing in.
Get an indoor air survey. We can do it or we can recommend someone to you. Either way, knowing what’s in your air and what you can do about it is better than not knowing.

< Older Post Newer Post >