Did you know people spend as much as 90% of their time inside their homes, offices, schools, and cars?1 For people with allergies and asthma, air quality is important both indoors and out.
What Impacts Your Indoor Air Quality?
Air quality is a measure of gases and small particles in the air that can be harmful to your lungs. Air pollution is when particles or gases that are not normally part of the air affect the air quality. Air pollution can happen indoors when items in your home release gases and irritants into the air. Outdoor air pollution (traffic exhaust, wildfire smoke, smog, etc.) can make its way inside to worsen your indoor air quality.
Allergens (like dust mites and pet dander) also impact your air quality. Allergens are the most common asthma trigger. This is called allergic asthma. Some sources of indoor allergens include:
- Dust mites
- Pets
- Cockroaches and mice
- Mold and damp areas
- Wall-to-wall carpet
- Soft furniture and stuffed toys
- Mattresses
- Pillows and bedding
Some sources of indoor air pollution include:
- Scented household cleaners and air-fresheners
- Fuel-burning heat sources (such as gas stoves, cooktops, and fireplaces)
- Smoke from cooking, candles, fireplaces or cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and e-cigarettes (vapes)
- Vehicles or lawnmowers stored inside garages
- Fumes from new furniture and carpet
- Building and paint products
- Pesticides
- Radon
- Cosmetics, perfumes, and hair sprays
What Can You Do to Improve Indoor Air Quality?
The best way to improve indoor air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergies and irritants. Here are a few tips:
Establish regular cleaning routines using CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendlyยฎ cleaning products.
Remove scented candles and throw pillows.
Keep the humidity in your home under 50% to reduce growth of dust mites and mold and above 30% to prevent your skin, eyes, nose, and lips from drying out.
Replace carpets with CERTIFIED solid surface flooring, if possible. Otherwise, vacuum weekly and have professional cleaning done a few times per year.
Use a CERTIFIED air cleaner and filters.
We have CERTIFIED many products. Visit aafa.org/certified to search for CERTIFIED products. There you can also learn more about the asthma & allergy friendlyยฎ Certification Program.
References
1. Indoor Air Quality. (2018, July 16). EPA.gov; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/report-env...t/indoor-air-quality
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