air outside. You may have thought that the air outside was worse with all of the cars and factory smoke, but actually you have more working against you in your supposedly safe zone. Since most of these pollutants and allergens have no smell and cannot be seen, it's hard to know when you have pollution around you. Here are 5 reasons your indoor air may be more polluted than outdoor air.Pollutants
Beyond the polluted outdoor hair that circulates into your home, your home's air is also filled with the noxious chemicals of cleaning products, the fungi and viruses of guests' fingerprints, and pollen that makes its way indoors and becomes trapped. In fact, bacteria that makes its way indoors can have better chances of staying alive inside. If you have a pet, you also face the added pollution of pet dander.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation is actually more of a problem for new homes that were designed to conserve energy. While you might be saving money on your gas bill, your air is not flowing. Without good ventilation, the air inside becomes more stagnant that the air outside. Allergies and breathing will be challenged more in this kind of environment.
Humidity
You don't have to live in the south to have humid indoor hair. In fact, basements hold a lot of humidity, and humidity hosts mold, mildew, bacteria and dust to grow and spread. These bacteria can wreak a lot of havoc once it makes its way into your lungs. Those allergies you thought were being caused by the pollen outside could be a result of mold flying around in your house.
Bad air leads to bad health. There's not much you can do to improve the air outside, but you can focus on ways to improve your indoor air. Improve your indoor air and you may find that the headaches, fatigue, and allergies you thought were being caused by other sources are actually caused by the air in your house. Here's a list of some ways to improve your indoor air:
- Use non-toxic cleaning supplies.
- Place an open box of backing soda in the living room.
- Wash bedding frequently. If not all of the sheets, make sure to wash the pillow cases often as your hair carries a lot of pollutants.
- Bathe your pet frequently to cut down on dander.
- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen.
- Use an air purifier to counter gas stoves and cleaning products.
While the factories and autos outside contribute to the polluted air outside, it's not the place we get exposed to harmful air. You may not be able to smell it, but your indoor air might stink. So make sure that you take the steps to cleaning it up and you may find that your health will improve. The allergies and the sicknesses you could be experiencing may be a result of the toxins and allergens that are thriving in your living room and under your bed.
About the Author
Trisha Tate writes articles for air treatment
