Since Americans spend 90% of their time inside on average, tips to improve indoor air quality are vital to family health. Certain contaminants have concentrations that are often two to five times greater inside than outside. Many gases and particles, most of which are too minute to be seen with the human eye, are present in the air we breathe. Our health is impacted by everything we breathe in numerous ways.
Poor indoor air quality may have detrimental health impacts on anybody, but as with outdoor air quality, the most vulnerable groups include small children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung conditions. Short-term symptoms such as headaches, inflammation of the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing and difficulty breathing; bronchitis; and skin irritation may be among the health impacts of poor indoor air pollution.
Severe adverse effects may affect the central nervous system, aggravate respiratory conditions including asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease, and with prolonged exposure, even result in cancer.
Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality
1. Keep Your Home Clean
A clean home minimizes the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and other pollutants. Regular vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter is essential to trap fine particles effectively. One of the tips to improve indoor air quality is to mop floors and wipe down surfaces to remove lingering dust.
Key steps:
- Vacuum carpets and rugs at least twice a week.
- Wash bedding, curtains, and other fabrics regularly.
- Use doormats and ask family members to remove shoes upon entering to reduce dirt and allergens.
2. Ventilate Your Space
Proper ventilation is crucial for reducing indoor air pollutants and an answer to how to improve air quality. Opening windows and doors allows fresh outdoor air to circulate, diluting contaminants.
Strategies for ventilation:
- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove odors and excess moisture.
- Install window screens to keep pests out while letting air in.
- Use energy-efficient ventilators in areas with limited natural ventilation.
3. Use Air Purifiers
Air purifiers can help remove pollutants like dust, pollen, smoke, and even bacteria. Choose one with a HEPA filter for maximum effectiveness.
Considerations when buying air purifiers:
- Select a purifier suited for the room’s size.
- Opt for models with activated carbon filters to neutralize odors and chemicals.
- Place the purifier in high-traffic or sleeping areas for the best results.
4. Control Humidity Levels
Excess moisture fosters the growth of mold and mildew, which can release harmful spores into the air. Maintaining optimal humidity levels (30–50%) is essential.
How to manage humidity:
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements.
- Fix leaks promptly to prevent water buildup.
- Place houseplants that absorb moisture, such as peace lilies and ferns.
5. Incorporate Indoor Plants
Certain plants act as natural air purifiers by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Some species can even filter out toxins. Planting them can be among the effective tips to improve indoor air quality.
Best plants for air purification:
- Snake plant
- Spider plant
- Boston fern
- Aloe vera
Note: Overwatering plants can lead to mold growth, so water them sparingly.
6. Eliminate Smoking Indoors
Secondhand smoke contains harmful chemicals and can linger in the air long after smoking. Make your home a smoke-free zone to protect your family and to know how to improve air quality.
Alternatives for smokers:
- Designate an outdoor smoking area away from windows and doors.
- Use nicotine patches or gum to reduce the need to smoke indoors.
7. Minimize the Use of Chemicals
Cleaning products, paints, and air fresheners often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, harming your respiratory health.
Tips for reducing chemical use:
- Choose fragrance-free or natural cleaning products.
- Use low-VOC or zero-VOC paints.
- Make homemade cleaners using vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.
8. Test for Radon and Carbon Monoxide
Radon and carbon monoxide are invisible threats to indoor air quality. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, can seep into homes from the ground, while carbon monoxide often results from malfunctioning appliances.
How to stay safe:
- Install radon detectors and test kits.
- Place carbon monoxide alarms near bedrooms and the kitchen.
- Service heating systems, chimneys, and fireplaces annually.
9. Replace HVAC Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system’s filters play a vital role in trapping airborne pollutants. Dirty filters reduce efficiency and recirculate contaminants.
Filter maintenance tips:
- Check filters every 1–3 months and replace them as needed.
- Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency filter.
- Schedule professional HVAC maintenance at least once a year.
Main Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
Poor indoor air quality and not finding tips to improve indoor air quality may be caused by several factors. The following are some of the most common pollutants, their effects on health, and the precautions you and your family may take:
- Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released from the earth. High concentrations of radon may be discovered within houses, schools, and other structures. It can enter a building via foundations, basement floors, wall gaps, and other openings. In the US, radon exposure is the second most common cause of lung cancer.
- Gases released into the atmosphere by goods or operations are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. We refer to this as “off-gassing.” Examples of indoor sources of VOCs include paints, glues, upholstery, and carpets. Inhaling VOCs may induce nausea, breathing difficulties, eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as harm to other organs and the central nervous system. VOCs are carcinogenic.
- Air quality is also affected by allergens. Dust, mold and mildew, cockroach and mouse droppings, and pet dander are common indoor allergies.
FAQ
Q: What signs of low indoor air quality are present?
A: Sneezing, eye discomfort, coughing, lightheadedness, and respiratory infections are some of the symptoms brought on by biological pollution.
Q: How can the quality of indoor air be maintained?
A: Eliminating specific sources of pollution or lowering their emissions is often the most efficient method to enhance indoor air quality. Certain sources, such as asbestos-containing sources, may be covered or sealed, while others, such as gas stoves, can have their settings changed to reduce emissions.
Q: What are the primary reasons why the air quality is poor?
A: Common causes of air pollution include motor vehicles, industrial operations, household combustion devices, and forest fires. Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide are among the pollutants that pose the greatest threat to human health.
