How to ensure optimal indoor air quality for your kids?
Many people are not aware that in an average home, indoor air pollution is five to 100 times higher than the one that plagues the outside realm. To make it worse, kids tend to spend up to 90% of their time indoors (mostly in school and at home), exposed to various airborne particles and substances. Finally, it may sound counterintuitive, but kids can take in more air per pound of the body weight than adults. This means that pollution has a stronger impact on their health. With this in mind, here’s what you can do to improve indoor air quality.
Face the enemy
Parents have a myriad of concerns when it comes to the safety of their kids and it is surprising how the quality of the air often slides under the radar. After all, the EPA has ranked indoor air pollution among top five environmental risks of today and many scientific studies show that poor air quality is the chief culprit behind many health issues kids face.
It is true that as the little ones grow up, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them under your wing. However, you can still make a real difference and keep the pollution in your home at bay. Taking precautions is the key to staying on the safe side.
So, be in the know and educate yourself. The first thing to do is recognize where the pollution originates from. Typically, major breeding grounds are combustion sources, chemical products, building materials, organic matter, and the outdoor pollution that can find its way inside your home.
Voltaic Organic Compounds (VOCs) are one of the most widespread pollutants that are found in paints, pesticides, cleaning products, and building materials. Moreover, older homes may contain lead, which triggers serious health issues, while many environments conceal radon, a naturally occurring gas that has a dire effect on the respiratory system.
Take concrete action
It is of the utmost importance to realize that your habits have a crucial role to play. For instance, second-hand smoke is one of the top pollutants, which, believe it or not, contains around 200 different poisons and 60 chemicals that can induce cancer. Therefore, never smoke inside and prevent the children from being exposed to this airborne menace.
There are other small things we do regularly that can also dramatically contribute to the level of indoor air pollution. Most notably, you need to pay close attention to the household products you use, such as paints, personal care items, cleaning agents, etc. Chemicals present in them can cause nausea, skin cancer, skin irritation, dizziness, and allergic reactions.
Other symptoms you need to keep a close eye on are headaches, coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath.
Turning the tide
Air purifiers are one of the most efficient tools you can utilize to combat the pollution. If you want to select the most reliable product on the market, go for one that has a HEPA filter. Namely, to earn a HEPA label, the filter must go through rigorous testing.
Furthermore, note that an outdated or malfunctioning HVAC system can be a major source of air pollution. Replace it if needed and in any event, ensure proper maintenance. In case you are not versed in this, find trusted local professionals, such as these Chatswood air conditioning specialists. They can handle everything, including the installation, repairs, and maintenance. This goes a long way towards avoiding heightened risks and continual negative effects on health.
There are, of course, some other measures that ensure optimal air quality: getting rid of asbestos-containing elements, controlling the mould, testing the quality of air every now and then, and decreasing the emissions coming from gas stoves and other appliances.
The list goes on and encompasses many other small steps that add up and bring you closer to a risk-free indoor environment.
In the clear
When pondering air pollution, people usually evoke images of fumes rising over cities and industrial areas. However, a potentially greater danger lurks in our homes, right under our noses.
The quality of the air you and your family breathe must be a major concern, something we must address on a daily basis. So, get to the root of the problem and eliminate it.
Add pollution-busting tools to your arsenal and take proactive measures to protect your kids from health issues and conditions and preserve their well-being.
Author BIO
If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of green living/home improvement projects and spread the word about them. She cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out LinkedIn.