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    10 Easy Ways To Prevent Indoor Air Pollution

    Not many people know that the air inside homes and offices buildings may be more polluted than the air outside. In fact, indoor air pollution in itself isn’t something often discussed. It’s interesting to note that the air we breathe indoors can sometimes be the cause of respiratory problems. Here are 10 ways we can prevent indoor air pollution.

    Tara Marie
    by Tara Marie

    Community Contributor

    1. Impose a smoking ban.

    Via Pixabay

    A lot of things have been said about smoking - it’s bad for you, it triggers asthma attacks, causes lung cancer, it kills people. So it’s no surprise that smoking is one of the contributing factors to indoor air pollution. Don’t smoke indoors, and don’t allow others to do so at your home, too.

    2. Improve ventilation.

    Indoor air pollution is in large part a contest between ventilation and air pollution. So improving ventilation in your home can do wonders in increasing the quality of air indoors. Poor ventilation allows pollutants to stay in the air indoors, while good ventilation allows them to exit through the exhaust hoods or fans and minimize humidity which also causes mold and mildew.

    3. Keep pests away the natural way.

    Pesticides add to indoor air pollution, so find a way NOT to use them. Put food away securely. You'll not only keep the pests (and harmful bacteria that they come with) away, you'll also find yourself using your pesticides less and less.

    4. Clean regularly.

    Via Pixabay

    Cleaning may not be the final solution to indoor air pollution, but it is an important step, nevertheless. Dust can harbor not only bacteria and mites, but also pollen, pet dander, mold, and mildew - all of which can add to the heaviness in the air. Do regular dusting with a damp rag, or better yet, use an electrostatic duster. Make full use of your vacuum cleaner, too and wash very dirty laundry in hot water.

    5. Eliminate, don’t mask odors.

    Don't just rely on anti-odor sprays to get rid of bad smells. They usually don't work longer than a few hours at most, and can only add to the level of pollutants in your indoor air. Instead, find the source of the bad smell, and clean it up. One tip, also, is to use baking soda instead of air fresheners in areas where bad smells are coming from.

    6. Opt for natural scents.

    Conventional air fresheners contain a harmful chemical that’s called phthalates, which, when released into the air, can be inhaled or absorbed into your body through the skin. This can be very bad as phthalates can alter hormone levels when they enter the bloodstream. Not only that, they can also interfere with the production of reproductive hormones, and cause other types of health problems. So before you head out to get your favorite air freshener, try using natural air fresheners first, such as plants.

    7. Test for radon.

    Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that has proven to be carcinogenic in the long term. It is, in fact, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Being odorless, it is hard to detect, but studies have found that it is present in homes all across the United States.

    8. Find leaks and fix them.

    Leaks can lead to mold growth, which is one of the causes of indoor air pollution. Watch for wet areas inside your home, particularly under plumbing fixtures and basements.

    9. Do regular maintenance on ducts and chimneys.

    Homes with centralized heating and cooling systems mostly rely on ductwork to deliver the desired air temperature throughout the house. But ducts are commonly hidden from view, which can lead to many home-owners forgetting to do regular maintenance on them. Ideally, these ducts should be cleaned every 5 to 10 years. Similarly, if your house has a chimney, it should be checked and cleaned regularly, or once a year. A clogged flue may not only cause more pollutants to stay in the air indoors, it can also be potentially deadly.

    10. Switch out your air filters.

    Filter Buy / Via filterbuy.com

    Air filters need regular cleaning and replacement to ensure that they continue to work as they ought to. Make sure you get the right air filter replacement size. Clogged air filters may not only cause particles in the air to be circulated around the house, it may also cost you more in the long run if the HVAC system gets overworked and damaged because the filter is not doing a good job.

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