| The quality of life inside your home is directly | | | | Improve ventilation |
| related to the quality of the air you breathe. | | | | In most areas, bringing in fresh air from outdoors |
| Pollutants can affect your health and enjoyment | | | | can markedly improve the quality of interior air. |
| of your home; some can even be dangerous or | | | | This is most crucial when engaging in high-polluting |
| deadly. The EPA recommends that homeowners | | | | activities like painting, chemical stripping of paint or |
| test their residences for various pollutants, | | | | wallpaper, cooking, or using any chemical solvents. |
| including radon, formaldehyde, asbestos, lead, and | | | | Attic fans offer a quick solution for clearing out |
| biological and chemical contaminants. Everyday | | | | smoky or dusty air, but can stir up additional dust |
| items like cooking stoves, heating stoves, | | | | in the process. Opening windows and doors and |
| fireplaces and other heaters can add to the dust | | | | running box fans can help clear air quickly and, |
| and pollutants already present in the air; these can | | | | combined with an attic fan, can quickly recycle |
| create significant health problems in susceptible | | | | much of the air in your home, allowing you to |
| individuals. Fortunately, there are a few simple | | | | breathe easier. |
| steps recommended by the EPA that can | | | | Clean the air |
| dramatically improve the quality of the air inside | | | | Commercial air cleaners are available in all sizes |
| your home. | | | | and varieties, from small tabletop models to |
| Reduce contaminants | | | | complex add-ons for your heating and cooling |
| By eliminating some of the contributing elements | | | | system. While these will not help with chemical or |
| to indoor air pollution, homeowners can improve | | | | biological pollutants, some are effective at |
| the quality of inside air almost immediately. | | | | attracting and removing tiny particles from the air, |
| Cleaning fireplaces, replacing worn pipes and vents | | | | leaving your home fresher and reducing harmful |
| on stoves and other heating devices, and doing a | | | | contaminants. Although scientists are divided |
| thorough examination of your home's interior can | | | | regarding the effectiveness of houseplants in |
| help lower the number of contaminants that are | | | | combating airborne pollutants, several studies |
| present inside your home. Vents and air shafts | | | | seem to suggest that plants like English ivy, peace |
| should be cleaned regularly by a professional | | | | lilies, mums, and bamboo palms can actually help |
| service to get rid of dust mites as well as dust, | | | | to remove hazardous chemicals like carbon |
| and filters for air conditioning units should be | | | | monoxide and benzene from indoor air; by |
| replaced monthly. Additionally, your home should | | | | incorporating some of these attractive plants into |
| be inspected for radon gas and asbestos to | | | | your home décor, you may be able to |
| ensure it is free of these deadly contaminants; if | | | | improve both your home's appearance and the air |
| either is found, a professional contractor should be | | | | quality inside. |
| enlisted to rid your home of these materials. | | | | By taking a few simple steps to remove |
| Vacuum cleaners are often overlooked as causes | | | | pollutants from the air inside your home, you can |
| of indoor pollution, but some release a great deal | | | | breathe easier and ensure your family's health and |
| of dust into the air each time they are used; look | | | | safety. Most of these methods don't cost a lot, |
| for vacuum cleaners that use high-quality | | | | but can make a big difference in your comfort |
| particle-trapping filters for best results. | | | | level and the air quality inside your home. |