If you don’t live in an area you usually come into contact with Wildfire smokesmoke or other forms of outdoor air pollution, it’s easy to believe that you have a clear understanding of the air quality of your living space. “Unfortunately, our indoor air is not as healthy as you think.” Country people,President Change the air foundationAnd the host Never ill podcast.
According to Dr. James Langer, a Materials Science Engineer and CEO ColorFil“It is surprising that indoor air may be five times more polluted or more than outdoor air, which can lead to a range of negative health consequences Headache Or more serious problems, such as chronic allergies, asthma and even cancer. It is worth noting that indoor air quality can be an issue wherever you live, as the main source of indoor air pollution comes from inside the home. ”
Don’t miss our unbiased technical content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET As the preferred source of Google.
Too much pollutants like cigarette smoke dust,,,,, Visible mold Pet dander may be the obvious culprit, making indoor air harder to breathe, but they are only part of the problem, and may not even be the biggest one. Air purifiers and dehumidifiers can help you a lot, but realizing is just as important as having good healthy air habits. We talked with three experts about the amazing things inside your home that can lead to poor air quality and the changes you can make to help them fight them.
cooking
Many studies have shown that gas furnaces have real risks to air quality and respiratory health.
It doesn’t matter whether you have a gas or an electric stove or do most of the cooking in a contained space like an oven or microwave. “The number one place in indoor air pollution is definitely cooking,” Glory Dolphin Hammes said iqair North America, certified indoor environmentalist and licensed HVAC contractor. “We tend to care about odors, but high-calorie cooking, especially when it comes to calories, is an important source of PM 2.5, a particle that easily enters our lungs.”
However, this is not necessarily an excuse to order more takeaways, or an investment order Sous Video Device. “Induction cooking can help air quality make a big difference,” says Dolphin Hammes, installing a real exhaust fan. “I emphasized the word ‘true’ because we didn’t realize that 99% of all exhaust fans actually circulate indoors,” she said. Simply opening the windows may also be beneficial in reducing cooking pollution.
Read more: Gas stoves stay here, but are they safe? Here’s what you need to know
HVAC system
HVAC systems, especially in cases where they cannot be properly maintained, can be a source of invisible mold and dust.
Similarly, the system that circulates air in your home (called the HVAC system) can also be heating, ventilation and air conditioning – it can also be a source of invisible mold and dust, circulating contaminated air in your home instead of moving it outside. “The push from net zero energy efficiency leads to a tighter building with minimal airflow between indoor and outdoor environments,” Rubino said. “The result is that most of the pollutants entering the building’s interior will remain before active removal.”
“The system is serviced twice a year,” Rubino said. “Change the air filter on time and then upgrade to the highest rated MERV filter that your specific unit can handle.” The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the particles they can extract from the air.
Read more: How to properly clean the air conditioner
Cleaning supplies
Homemade cleaning solutions can keep harmful pollutants unsolved.
Of course, keeping a clean house is the key to clean air, right? OK…” Usually, cleaning supplies have a large amount of volatile organic compounds for the highest claim to kill bacteria or remove odors, or high in VOC.
“VOC is known to cause nausea and has harmful effects on health when exposed to higher levels or prolonged periods,” Langer said. “Instead, look for low/no flow cleaning products that can get the job done without masking the odor.”
To combat unclaimed VOCs, try this All natural cleaning solutions With three ingredients, you may be ready.
Wet electrical appliances
Any equipment that holds water, especially electrical appliances in high flow areas, should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth.
Most people know that moist rooms such as bathrooms and laundry rooms can hide mold, but your kitchen is also an important source of water, and the spores may come from other elements rather than spoiling food. “Equipments like ice machines and refrigerator water nozzles can also hide molds,” Rubino said. “Mildew spores can cause breathing problems and can also force us to try to cover up their odors.”
Instead, cut them off. “These should be Regular cleaning,” Rubino said. “Let them dry between uses and keep up with normal maintenance. ”
Read more: Mold grows in washing machines? Get rid of it with this secret trick
Candles and fragrance
Anything that emits smoke will at least lead to a decrease in air quality.
What you use to make your home smell fresher is actually not just masking other pollutants, they also lead to poorer air quality overall. If these things also emit smoke, such as candles and scents, even if they seem to be very few.
“Often, candles and incense are actually the source of pollution in your home,” Dolphin Hammes said. “People want their families to smell fresh, but they’re likely to introduce a considerable PM 2.5.”
Air freshener
Air freshener
The same is true for other products that are targeted. “Air fresheners, essential oils and other high-spice products are often used to mask bad smells, but this can make indoor air pollution worse,” Lange said.
These products are also bad news for non-human residents in your home. “There is less data related to the safety of using these products around pets. Given its unique biology, dogs, cats, birds and other small animals may be more susceptible to the negative effects of these products,” Lange said.
Instead of perfume options, consider an air purifier, or look for baking soda or air freshener based on activated charcoal.
Air quality monitors can eliminate any doubts
Airthings View Plus will monitor your air quality 24/7 and remind you in real time when the situation becomes dangerous.
If you are concerned about air quality, the monitor provides real-time data so you can resolve and remedy the cause. We’ve tested several items, including $60 SwitchBot’s instrument Pro Track CO2, temperature, humidity and $300 Airthings View Plus It can monitor VOC, ra, particles and fine-grained substances, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity. When dangerous levels are reached, both send an alarm.
