Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Air in Your House is Polluted!

Most people now have some level of concern for the environment and air pollution. As a result, there is much focus and information on the outdoor air quality for various cities and it can be big news when a particular municipality violates the various air pollution regulations. Of course, this is cause for concern as a citizen you don't want to be breathing dirty, polluted air when you go outside. The little secret though is that the air in your home is, in all likelihood, worse than the polluted outdoor air on the news.
It is not commonly known but the air quality inside a standard home is very poor. In fact, the EPA has reported levels of indoor air pollutants may be up to five times higher and occasionally up to 100 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels. This is rather profound given that people spend most of their time indoors. There are many things that contribute to poor indoor air quality such as new paint or other cleaning products, pet dander, radon or dust. Also, new carpet - that "new carpet" smell is chemicals used in making the carpet and should be ventilated as best as practicable. Additionally, firewood stored in the house can release mold or spores. Obviously, indoor smoking is powerful air pollutant as cigarette smoke contains hundreds of toxins.
The build up of these pollutants can lead to respiratory problems and lowers overall health. Those with asthma suffer more frequent attacks with poor indoor air quality.
The best way to prevent your air quality from degrading is to eliminate the source. Have smokers smoke outdoors, use non-toxic "green" cleaning products, vacuum and dust regularly, etc. However, it is not possible to eliminate all contaminants and this is where an air purifier can help.
An air purification system is designed to eliminate or greatly reduce mold, bacteria, particulates and other microorganisms so as to improve or "purify" the air inside your home. Whole house systems are designed to do just that and improve the air in the entire house. These are excellent systems and wonderful to install if you or a loved one suffer from allergies or asthma. The drawback can be cost. If you are not quite ready to install a whole house system, small units designed for a single room or small space can be purchased at major retailers. Be sure to check the square foot rating for a given device so that you have the proper size machine for the room it will be located in. Typically this would be the bedroom since many hours are spent there and the space is generally small enough for a tabletop unit to be effective.
If you would like to improve your health an air purification system is a great way to go. Contact a qualified installer in your area and have them visit your home. In this way, you may find out exactly what your home needs and learn the cost. Plus, the installer will be able to advise you on specific pollutants common in your area of the country and state. They can be a valuable resource and consultant.
At a minimum, think about the things you bring into your home and how they might be contaminating your air. Doing so will help your family live a longer, healthier life!
Learn more about how to eliminate air pollutants in your home by visiting Abel Onsite of  St. Bonifacius, MN.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.