Natural and Sustainable

When it comes to indoor air quality, what we can’t see can really hurt us. Here are some easy tips for clearing the air:

• Make fresh air your friend: Newer homes are designed to keep out the chill, but because many lack proper ventilation, they also work to trap in pollutants. In the case of air quality, what we can’t see can hurt us: the more microscopic the particles, the more damage they can be to our health. These particles can build up over time, so it’s important to open windows and let fresh air inside as often as possible-even in the heat of the summer and cold of the winter.

• Heat your home more healthfully: According to the American Lung Association, more than 70 percent of Americans have forced or central air heating ion their homes, yet nearly 50 percent don’t change the filter in their units regularly. And 10 percent have never replaced the filter. It’s important to have your central heating system inspected every year and to change your filters once every three months. Also, keep in mind that any fuel-burning appliances (ranges, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, fireplaces and grills) can be a potential source of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide if they are not well vented or maintained.

• Go green with household cleaners: Unless you are using products scented with natural oils, your favorite “clean smell” is likely the result of a chemical concoction that is man made. Try natural cleaning agents such as baking soda and white vinegar. Or look for brands with non-toxic ingredients like Shaklee’s Get Clean or Mrs. Meyers Clean Day. If you’re a fan of scented candles, consider switching to soy, which burns much cleaner than petroleum-based counterparts. To keep the bugs away, use boric acid-based bait stations as an effective alternative to chemical sprays.

• Enlist the power of plants: While formaldehyde (found in plywood, adhesives, carpets and paints), benzene (found in Styrofoam, plastics, lubricants, detergents and synthetic fibers) and carbon monoxide (off-gassed by heating or cooking equipment) are bad news for people, plants can thrive on them and help remove them from the air. Peace lily, bamboo palm. English ivy, mums, and gerbera daises top the clean-air list. Plus, they are easy to care for, so even if your don’t have a green thumb, you will still have a good chance of keeping these beauties alive in your home for a long period of time.

• Keep mold and mites at bay: To help prevent mold, make sure bathrooms and kitchen are well ventilated and use dehumidifiers in basements and garages (just remember to change water trays frequently). Wash bedding in hot water at least every 10 days to kill dust mites, and use a high-quality, HEPA (high Efficiency Particulate Air) filter vacuum (which won’t release fine dust particles back into the air).

• Declare your home a shoe-free zone: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 90 percent of most people’s exposure to pesticides occurs indoors. A lot of these and other toxic chemicals enter our homes through our shoes, so it’s best to check them at the door.

• Shield yourself from secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke contains as many as 4,000 chemicals, including 200 known poisons, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, as well as 43 carcinogens. If you or your friends smoke, be sure to light up outside.

• Out radon on your radar: An estimated one our of every 15 homes in the United States has radon levels above what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers healthy. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas found at high levels in every state in America, can seep into our homes through the surrounding soil. Indoor radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in our country after cigarette smoke. Because this gas has no color or odor, it requires special detection kits. In expensive and easy to use, you can purchase one at your local hardware store. Or visit EPA/RADON for more information.

• Beware of off-gassing: Before your bring new furniture, drapes or carpeting, which usually contain formaldehyde (a colorless and pungent gas known to cause mild to severe eye, nose, skin and throat irritations), into your home, air them out in your garage or backyard for a few days. And be sure to open your windows and run exhaust fans for the first week following any remodeling projects. Or as an alternative, but products and bu8ilding materials made with green materials.(Source: Conscious Choice Magazine)

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