It is no secret that we need clean air to breathe to live. We live better, healthier lives when we breathe in cleaner air. The problem is that there are dangers in our air that we cannot smell or see and some that we can. Your local radon testing company will tell you how prevalent that substance is. There are, of course, other problems that we can prevent with the air in our homes.
Recently, Care2andnbsp;took a look at things people can do to make sure they have the healthiest air for themselves and their families. Experts at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reported that the air inside American homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. In extreme cases, that number can jump to ten times the pollution level outside. Radon is odorless and colorless but deadly. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The EPA and Office of the Surgeon General estimate that there are at least 20,000 deaths from lung cancer that are caused by exposure to radon gas.
The first step to making your home safer is understanding what indoor air pollution is and how you can manage it. Dust, carbon dioxide and smoke are often the culprits. The smoke and carbon dioxide often come from burning wood, gas, oil or coal inside a home. Natural and manmade materials, which can include stains, paints, glues and chemicals used to clean a home, can produce volatile organic compounds. Mold can grow when there is excess moisture in a home. And, of course, radon can get into a home from the soil around the foundation. This is why having a radon testing company look at your home can be an important part of keeping the air quality where it should be.
Dr. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) says, “Cleaning up the air we breathe prevents non-communicable diseases as well as reduces disease risks among women and vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly.”
There are some other things you can do to keep your home’s air clean and clear for you and your family. Changing the air filters that are located in your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system can go a long way to keeping dust and allergens out of your air. The frequency with which you change your filters will depend a lot on your lifestyle and the health of the people living in your home. If you have animals and people with asthma or allergies, you may need to change it more often. One great way to get into the habit of changing your filters is to check them every month.
Airing out your home on a regular basis can go a long way in cleaning the air in your home. Any expert at a radon testing company will tell you, this is one of the best way to get radon out of your home. In fact, many radon testing companies recommend it. This can be especially important when you have new flooring put in or paint your home.
There are steps you can take:
- Reduce the amount of carpet in your home. Hardwood floors are a lot less able to hold onto dust and other allergens. They become trapped in the carpet and are released when you vacuum your rugs and carpet.
- Do not let people smoke in your home. Second hand smoke is dangerous and it will also discolor your walls and furniture. A smoke free environment is much healthier for you and your family.
- Never idle your car in the garage. This can cause the area to fill up with dangerous gases.
- Cap your sump pump. If you need to have a sump pump, work with your sump pump installation company to get the proper cap for your pump. Often radon gas finds its way into home through the sump pump.
- Look for green cleaning supplies. There are a lot of nasty chemicals in many cleaning products but you can get healthier versions that will keep your home clean and safe.
Most people spend a lot of time inside. From hiring a radon testing company to checking the air filters, you can have a healthier home.