Pacific Way Wellness Center
Health
Newsletter
-
September 2011
Easy Ways to
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Have you ever wondered why being outside in the fresh air is so invigorating? Or why, after spending time in nature you feel a sense of calm? Living in a natural environment can make you feel better and being closer to nature may improve your quality of life. So don't let your indoor environment be any different! The air pollution inside your home can greatly impact your health and well-being.
The EPA suggests that the air quality in your home may be worse than the air quality outside of your home. Unfortunately, recent studies show that many Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, especially during the winter. Furthermore, those people who are exposed to the longest periods of indoor air pollution are also the ones most susceptible to its negative effects. This includes the very young, the elderly, and the chronically ill.
Indoor air pollution can come from a variety of sources that often increases the level of mold and allergens in your environment. Additionally, bad air quality can be made worse by poor ventilation, high heat, and high humidity. Here is a list of the most common pollutants in the home:
| Tobacco Smoke |
| Wood Smoke |
| Radon Gas |
| Pets and Other Animal |
| Household Cleaners/Chemicals |
| Carpets and Flooring |
| Building Materials |
| Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment |
| Gas-Burning Furnaces and Appliances |
Serious health
risks can occur from the cumulative effects of
these sources. Sometimes there are immediate
symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, nose, and
throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. There
may also be signs of some diseases, such as asthma
or hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, the long
term health effects of indoor air pollution may
not show up for years, including chronic heart or
lung problems and even cancer.
For example, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today and nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem.
So what can you do to improve your air quality at home? The following are several easy and quick solutions:
For example, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today and nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem.
So what can you do to improve your air quality at home? The following are several easy and quick solutions:
1) Bring nature
indoors and introduce house plants into your
environment. Houseplants purify the air by
creating more oxygen and some studies suggest they
may also help to eliminate toxins.
2) Clean your home naturally by using plant based cleaners or just vinegar. Also, keep carpets and floors clean with daily vacuuming and use shampoos made with natural ingredients.
3) Remodel your home with natural products. For example, try to use healthy renewable materials like bamboo.
4) Do not allow smoking in your home. Limiting exposure to second-hand smoke will greatly improve your family's health.
5) Ensure pets are kept well groomed and clean. Pets can be a breeding ground for pests and allergens.
6) Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances professionally installed, vented outside, and checked annually for carbon monoxide leaks. Be sure to install a battery-operated CO detector in your home too.
7) Properly ventilate rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, to prevent moisture buildup and mold. Get expert help if you have a mold problem.
8) Test your home for radon gas. There are many kinds of inexpensive, do-it-yourself test kits. You can also hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you. A trained radon reduction contractor can study the problem in your home and help you pick the correct treatment method.
2) Clean your home naturally by using plant based cleaners or just vinegar. Also, keep carpets and floors clean with daily vacuuming and use shampoos made with natural ingredients.
3) Remodel your home with natural products. For example, try to use healthy renewable materials like bamboo.
4) Do not allow smoking in your home. Limiting exposure to second-hand smoke will greatly improve your family's health.
5) Ensure pets are kept well groomed and clean. Pets can be a breeding ground for pests and allergens.
6) Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances professionally installed, vented outside, and checked annually for carbon monoxide leaks. Be sure to install a battery-operated CO detector in your home too.
7) Properly ventilate rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, to prevent moisture buildup and mold. Get expert help if you have a mold problem.
8) Test your home for radon gas. There are many kinds of inexpensive, do-it-yourself test kits. You can also hire a trained contractor to do the testing for you. A trained radon reduction contractor can study the problem in your home and help you pick the correct treatment method.
For more
information, visit the US EPA website and read:
“The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality”
“A Citizen's Guide to Radon”
“The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality”
“A Citizen's Guide to Radon”
Theodosia Woods, DC
& Susan Lanker, DC
1289 Pacific Way, Gearhart, Oregon 97138
1289 Pacific Way, Gearhart, Oregon 97138
503-738-9796
www.drtheodosia.com