8 important tips to improve the air quality in your home

How polluted is the air inside the house? Could indoor air become 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air?

People spend most of the day indoors, so it is important to keep things that cause air pollution out of the home, and to make sure the home is well ventilated.

Here are some tips from the American Lung Association to purify the air we breathe every day, especially in light of the spread of the Corona virus and everyone's attempts to maintain the health and immunity of the respiratory system.

Some indoor pollutants can kill. Passive smoking is among the most dangerous. Thousands of children are under treatment, or develop respiratory infections due to secondhand smoke, and it also makes elderly people with cardiovascular or lung diseases more likely to develop health problems.

It is mentioned that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke, so smoking should never be done in the home.

Paints emit small amounts of gases for months after painting, even though they appear completely dry and odorless.

These gases are called "volatile organic compounds" and can contain highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which cause coughing and asthma attacks.

It is preferable to use low-odor and water-based paints, in addition to this, be sure not to store the remaining paint containers indoors.

You may be allergic to pets, whether they are allergic to animal saliva and their fur or dead skin cells, so care must be taken to keep fur animals away from the bedrooms, especially if you are allergic, and clean floors and furniture frequently using a vacuum cleaner, especially In confined spaces such as the corners of sofas, behind furniture, and upholstery where hair or fur gets stuck.

Carpets trap unhealthy particles, including dust mites, pet dander, dirt, and fungi, so it's best to vacuum your carpets, even if they help spread those particles in the air.

The best solution is to reduce the use of carpets as much as possible, because cleaning wooden floors, tiles or porcelain is easier, and it does not retain unhealthy particles at all after cleaning.

Dust allergy is actually an allergy to dust mites, which are microscopic pests that need moisture to survive.

Dust mites feed on human skin, and live in pillows, mattresses, stuffed toys, and upholstery.

To combat dust mites, continuous vacuuming and hot steaming, in addition to changing bedding and pillows frequently, and washing them with boiling water, can also use dust mite-resistant covers, which are covers with tight fabrics that do not allow dust or water to pass through.

Proper ventilation is one of the best ways to protect and improve the air in your home. High levels of humidity increase the potential for mold growth, which increases coughing and asthma attacks in people with allergies.

Normal daily activities, including cooking, cleaning and even breathing, produce water vapor, which raises humidity levels, so adequate ventilation is essential.

When choosing candles, you should avoid using paraffin wax, which emits toxic carcinogens such as benzene and toluene when burned. Therefore, it is preferable to choose candles made of natural materials and beeswax, and it is also preferable to choose candles that do not contain artificial fragrances or dyes. He also advises using liquid cleaning products instead of sprays, avoiding scented products and maintaining natural ventilation.

Cooking can be a significant source of home air pollution. Scientists have found that cooking one meal on a gas stove produces high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is unsafe to breathe, so the kitchen must be ventilated or a hood placed over the stove.

The bathroom is also one of the largest sources of moisture inside the house, so it must be cleaned and kept as dry as possible, and the curtains inside it should be cleaned so that it does not become a fertile environment for the growth of bacteria, taking into account the ventilation through the window or air hood after showering.

proper breathing

After reviewing all indoor air pollutants, healthy breathing remains one of the most important causes of comfort and strength for the respiratory system. If you are breathing effectively, your breathing will be smooth and controlled, and you will get enough air without straining.