(Newswire.net — April 8, 2016) — Air quality is extremely important, but doesn’t get discussed much in terms of a personal issue. You’ll hear people talk about bigger topics like pollution and environmental sustainability, but those same ideas don’t always carry over into our homes and offices.
The Importance of Air Quality
“We tend to think of air pollution as something outside – smog, ozone, or haze hanging in the air, especially in summer,” writes Jeanie Lerche Davis of WebMD. “But the truth is, the air inside homes, offices, and other buildings can be more polluted than the air outside.”
Inside our homes, there’s dust and pet dander, residue and fragrances from cleaning chemicals, fire-retardants, formaldehyde, and even lead and radon. Something as simple as painting a wall or installing a new piece of furniture can release new pollutants into your home. And because we spend more time indoors today than we did in past decades, this means we’re breathing in more polluted air and less fresh air.
Simple Tips for Improving Air Quality
Whether you’re experiencing chronic respiratory symptoms that didn’t previously exist, or you’re simply hoping to live better and avoid issues in the future, it’s imperative that you take a proactive stance on improving the quality of the air you breathe in and out on a daily basis. For best results, consider the following:
1. Give Your Home a Deep Clean
When was the last time you cleaned your house? Like really cleaned. We’re not talking about a quick sweep of the kitchen floor. We’re referring to a top-to-bottom deep clean.
If you haven’t dusted, vacuumed, and disinfected your home in years, you’re likely breathing in thousands of irritants and unhealthy particles on a daily basis. By committing to cleanliness, you can dramatically improve air quality.
2. Consider the Workplace
It’s not just your home, though. You also need to think about your work environment, where you may spend 40, 50, or 60 hours per week. Clean air safety is a major priority – especially in manufacturing – but that doesn’t mean companies always do an adequate job of providing clean air.
If you’re unsure of whether your employer is maintaining a workplace environment that’s conducive to employee health, then ask for more information. There are steps that can be taken to correct these situations.
3. Prohibit all Smoking
You have to say no to all tobacco products. Even limiting smoking to outside isn’t enough. The chemicals will find their way into clothing, furniture, and more. While some will tell you that opening a window or using an exhaust fan is enough, be warned that any smoking is bad for air quality. In fact, it’s one of the worst things you can do.
4. Leave Pets Outside
While we all get attached to our pets, they unfortunately wreak havoc on our respiratory systems. Pet hair and dander can build up over the years and leave us gasping for fresh air. If you have dogs or cats, leave them in the backyard or on a screened porch. If nothing else, encourage indoor-outdoor behavior. This will cut down on pet-related allergic reactions.
5. Consider Your Car
If you’re having respiratory issues and can’t seem to find the culprit, don’t rule out your car. It’s not unheard of for people to be allergic to their vehicles. Sometimes a car’s air conditioning system can become dirty and actually pump unhealthy particles into the air. Keep this in mind as a possibility.
Breathe Healthy, Live Happy
The air you breathe in and out plays a critically important role in your overall health. If you aren’t already, you need to start paying attention to air quality in your personal life. Air quality is not just a global or environmental issue. It’s very much a “me” issue. Consider these tips and take action today.