| Ask most people about air quality problems, and they'll | | | | office buildings, and hotels, too. |
| look to the outdoors. However, the Environmental | | | | Gases: A variety of gases escape from our carpets, |
| Protection Agency (EPA) called indoor air pollution one | | | | drapes, and furniture. Cleaningproducts, copy machines, |
| of the United States' top environmental health | | | | paints, insect spray, hair spray, and insulation emit |
| concerns and has also recognized the need to | | | | gases as well. Many are chemicals known as volatile |
| improve indoor air quality. | | | | organic compounds (VOCs) that are easy to breathe |
| The World Health Organization is investigating air | | | | in. We can't always smell indoor gases, which pose a |
| pollution, too. In fact, the World Health Organization | | | | hidden danger. |
| states that 40% of all buildings pose a serious threat to | | | | Commercial Air Fresheners Don't Improve Indoor Air |
| health because of poor indoor air quality. | | | | Quality |
| Why Do We Need To Improve Indoor Air Quality? | | | | Whatever you do don't go plug those air fresheners |
| Starting with the energy crisis in the 1970s, we began | | | | you bought at the store in the wall thinking they will |
| sealing our homes, offices, and other indoor | | | | improve indoor air quality. They actually make the |
| environments to reduce energy consumption. This has | | | | quality of the air worse. |
| worked except for the fact that most of our indoor | | | | Most household cleaners and air fresheners are made |
| environments just re-circulate stale air without ever | | | | out of chemicals that smell good, but are harmful for |
| cleaning it. | | | | you to breathe in. That goes for the car air fresheners |
| The problem is that our homes, cars, offices, hotel | | | | too. |
| rooms, college dorms, and other indoor environments | | | | Houseplants Improve Indoor Air Quality |
| are filled with things we never want to breathe in. | | | | Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off pure oxygen |
| The Three "Hidden" threats To Indoor Air Quality: | | | | so having a healthy plant in each room of your house |
| Particulates: Indoor air contains solid particles and tiny | | | | or office will improve indoor air quality. If you want to |
| liquid droplets, up to | | | | improve indoor air quality and the smell of your home |
| 20 million per cubic foot in untreated rooms. More than | | | | or office simply buy flowers. |
| 99% can't be seen, and many particles are small | | | | The Best Way To Improve Indoor Air Quality |
| enough to enter your lungs. | | | | The best way you can improve indoor air quality in |
| Pollen, ash, and dust come indoors from the outside. | | | | your home or office is to have a high quality air purifier |
| Pets give off dander. Dust mites thrive in mattresses. | | | | that gets rid of the particulates, microbials, and gases |
| And cigarette smoke lingers. Second-hand smoke has | | | | that are harmful to breathe. There are many different |
| been identified as a major health risk. | | | | air purifiers out there, some are better than others, but |
| Microbials: Microscopically small living health hazards, | | | | what is important is that you find one that removes the |
| bacteria, fungi, and mold-thrive in moist indoor | | | | three harmful elements listed above. |
| environments. Mold grows to some degree in almost | | | | The size of the air purifier is also something to |
| every man-made structure. | | | | consider when you are looking to improve indoor air |
| What's worse, mold loves heating and cooling ducts. | | | | quality because each square foot of the house, room, |
| Every time someone turns on heat, air-conditioning, or | | | | or building needs to be treated. Good luck on your |
| ventilation, a variety of microbes may blow into rooms | | | | journey towards health and wellness! |
| serviced by the ducts. This happens in cars, trucks, | | | | |
