Healthier living spaces include attention to indoor air quality.
Good indoor air quality is an important part of a healthy living space. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, people spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and indoor air may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
To improve indoor air quality, you’ll want to monitor allergenic particles (those coming from dust mites, pests, pets, mold, etc.) and irritants (air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds, gases, smoke, fragrances, solvents, cleaning products, etc.).
Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air because the air pollution generated inside can get trapped without sufficient ventilation and filtration. Outdoor air quality also impacts your indoor air. Ground-level ozone, wildfire smoke, pollen, and other airway irritants enter your indoor space through windows, doors, and soffits.
How to improve indoor air quality
AAFA’s Healthier Home Checklist can help you assess common air quality issues in your home.
To raise your home’s air quality, there are three things you can do:
- Improve ventilation
- Improve filtration
- Reduce or contain the use of polluting substances or allergen sources
For improved ventilation, you’ll want to use exhaust fans that vent outdoors to help remove cooking fumes from your kitchen and moisture from your bathroom or laundry. Open your windows when the outdoor air quality is good and pollen counts are low. Open interior doors to help air flow through your home. Use fans to help circulate air.
To remove pollutants and allergens, be sure to change your home’s HVAC air filters regularly. Follow recommendations from the manufacturer. Use portable air cleaners in rooms where you spend the most time or the rooms that have the most pollution, such as the bedroom or kitchen.
Air cleaners that have received the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® certification have proven they can eliminate over 75% of allergenic particles in the air. The certification standard requires that these particles be removed, not just redistributed throughout the room.
To reduce polluting substances in your home, there are many steps you can take:
- Don’t smoke or quit smoking
- Cut down the use of aerosolized or spray cleaners. Use soap and water, lemon juice, or vinegar instead
- If possible, switch to electrical options for your appliances
- If possible, remove carpeting and replace it with solid flooring
- If you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, ensure it is properly vented, or switch to electrical heating if possible
To contain allergens in your home:
- Keep pets out of your bedrooms
- Maintain relative humidity levels of 30-50% to reduce mold and dust mites
- Wear a hair covering when you are outside to prevent pollen from collecting in your hair
- Remove shoes and head coverings upon entering your home
- Wipe down furry pets when they come inside
- Use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® household products that are proven to reduce exposure to airborne irritants and allergens
Taking steps to maintain good indoor air quality can make your home healthier, reducing your exposure to common asthma and allergy triggers.
