Speaker:Vittoria Vecchiarelli
Written by: Sheena Jain & Esha Jain
Considering our ice cold winters and snowstorms, it is no wonder that Canadians spend more than 90% of their time indoors. But are we really aware of our indoor air quality and the harmful toxins that exist within our homes? Not to mention, the health risks that can occur from being exposed to these agents?
Although not always visible to the naked eye, some of the air contaminants present within our homes include mold, dust, tobacco smoke and fumes. These toxins can get into our household air when we participate in such activities as cooking, cleaning and showering or can be released into the air by the presence of certain items within the home including hairspray, paints, glue, carpets and furniture. The amount of indoor pollutants is further increased by inadequate ventilation and smoking inside, in addition to the gases released from household consumer products/appliances. These agents can cause breathing difficulties, irritate the eyes, nose and throat, worsen pre-existing conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and allergies as well as cause cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and heart failure. Children in particular are at far greater risk of acquiring health issues from exposure due to having only partially developed bodies, breathing in more air than adults as well as having their fingers in their mouths more often.
Although we may notice that symptoms improve within a few minutes or hours after leaving pollutant infested areas, there are different precautions that can be taken to reduce the amount of contaminants that exist within our homes. 5 simple, low cost steps that can be taken to ensure cleaner air at home are outlined below:
STEPPOLLUTANT INFORMATIONACTION
STEP 1:
CONTROL MOISTURE, CLEAN MOLD
- Mold grows when there
is too much moisture in
home
→ i.e. showering,
cooking, flooding and
leaks
- Mold can grow on anything
that holds moisture:
→ i.e. fabric, drywall,
cardboard, etc.
Keep all surfaces at home as dry and clean as possible:
- Keep relative humidity between 30-50%
→ Closer to 30% in winter months
→ Closer to 50% in summer months
- Turn on fan or open window before
showering and a few minutes afterwards
- Turn on fan or open window when cooking
on stove
- Wipe water droplets off bathroom tiles,
windows and other surfaces where water can
collect
- Clean up floods immediately and dry area
completely. Throw away all items that cannot
be fully dried
- Get rid of clutter in home
- Make sure air vents at the back of clothes
dryer is connected to the outside of home or
building
Mold in area <1m2
- Scrub with water and mild detergent as soon
as they are seen
- Dry area quickly and completely
Mold in area >1m2
- Discuss how to fix problem with landlord if
tenant or a professional if home owner
STEP 2:
GET RID OF DUST
- Dust can include a mix of:
toxic chemicals, pollen, pet
dander, allergens, dust mites
and other pollutants
- Products (i.e. furniture,
electronics) slowly breakdown
into dust
→Therefore if products are
made with toxic material,
the dust will be toxic as well
- Clean floors (i.e. tiles, hardwood) with a
damp cloth and vacuum carpeted areas at
least once a week
- Clean surfaces with a damp cloth
- Take off shoes and wipe pets’ paws at the
door to reduce dirt and dust from entering
home
- Get rid of clutter to reduce dust and make
cleaning easier
NOTE:
- Dry mop/cloth does not get rid of dust
→It pushes dust back into the air
STEP 3:
LET BAD AIR OUT, FRESH AIR IN
- Turn on fan or open a window when frying,
sautéing or grilling food
- Turn on fan or open a window when cleaning
and using products like nail polish or
hairspray and craft materials like glue and
paint
- Make sure air vents are not blocked by
objects such as furniture to maintain good air
flow
- Make sure appliances (i.e. gas stoves,
heating and cooling systems) are working
properly
- Check ventilation systems and replace/clean
the filters and fans often
NOTE:
- May want to open windows when traffic is
less heavy to avoid being possible source of
outdoor air pollution around home
- Never use barbecue or portable fuel-burning
camping equipment inside home or garage to
avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
- Ensure carbon monoxide detector in home
and check that batteries are working
STEP 4:
REDUCE TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS
- Cleaning products that release
toxic chemicals into the air
and on surfaces include
cleaning sprays, liquids and
powders, drain cleaners and
air fresheners
- Use non-toxic cleaning products more often.
Consider using non-toxic alternatives (i.e.
baking soda and vinegar) instead of
commercial cleaning products
→ Non-toxic fragrance air freshening options
include:
1) Mix water with few drops of essential
oils in spray bottle and spray in air
2) Simmer cinnamon & cloves in water on
stove
- Avoid products like cleaners that come in
aerosol spray cans
→ These can leave chemicals in the air longer
→ Instead use other types of products (i.e. powders and hand pump creams)
- Wear gloves and turn on a fan or open a
window when using chemical cleaning
products
STEP 5:
KEEP TOBACCO SMOKE OUT
- Tobacco not only gets into the
air we breathe but also gets
trapped in furniture, fabric,
carpets, toys and clothes
→Can stay on these things in
home and get pushed
back into the air for weeks
- Tobacco smoke can also stick
to hands, skin and hair even if
smoking outdoors
- Make home smoke-free. Do not allow
anyone to smoke indoors
- Smoke outside and wash hands after
- Set up an outdoor smoking area away from
doors and windows so others are not
exposed
As demonstrated, taking simple precautionary measures can essentially have a large effect on the greater scheme of things when it comes to reducing pollutant exposure within our homes. Making a conscious effort to clean our indoor air can have significant effects on improving our overall health and ensuring a better quality of life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Other than taking the precautionary measures mentioned above, are there any other methods that can be used to naturally clean indoor air?
NATURAL CLEANSERHOW IT NATURALLY CLEANS INDOOR AIR
Beeswax Candles- Unlike regular paraffin candles, pure beeswax candles
have no scent and do not emit smoke
→ Therefore unlike traditional candles, beeswax candles
do not release toxins into the air
- Beeswax candles release negative ions into to the air.
These ions bind to the surrounding toxins, thereby
removing pollutants from the air
- Remove common allergens (i.e. dust and dander) from
the air
→ Therefore especially beneficial in individuals with
asthma and/or allergies
Salt LampsMade from Himalayan salt crystals and works as an air purifier
- When lit, lamp emits negative ions into the surrounding
atmosphere, removing toxins from the air and
neutralizing them
- Naturally clears air of allergens (i.e. smoke, pet dander,
pollen and other air pollutants)
- Dilutes odors within the air, allowing for easier breathing
→Reduces and improves asthmatic symptoms
Bamboo Charcoal- When linen Moso air purifying bags are filled with
bamboo charcoal, they absorb unpleasant odors and
dehumidify the air
→Also proven to reduce the amount of formaldehyde,
ammonia, benzene and chloroform gases emitted by
various products (i.e. paint, carpet, furniture, air
fresheners, chemical cleaners, rubber and plastics)
- Bamboo charcoal’s porous structure also assists with
removing bacteria, harmful pollutants and allergens from
the air
- Absorbs moisture and traps impurities within their pores,
thereby preventing the build-up of mold and mildew
- Can also remove bathroom and car odors
Purifying Plants- Purifying plants absorb harmful chemicals and other
pollutants (i.e. benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene,
toluene, xylene and ammonia) found in the surrounding
air, in order to produce oxygen
- According to NASA, Peace Lilies are the most dominant of
all the air purifying plants
Can making your home more energy efficient and protecting your home from bad weather conditions, contribute to the indoor pollution problem?
Making your home more energy efficient by sealing up cracks and openings and reducing the natural air flow through the house can contribute to the indoor air pollution problem. A tightly sealed home will have relatively higher levels of humidity, interior mildew and molds as well as frequent condensation on windows and stale air. The Canada Mortgage & Housing Corp (CMHC) has also reported that houses tightly sealed for energy efficiency are unable to off-gas chemicals. Since the chemicals are unable to go anywhere else, they end up building up within the home.
Additionally adding storm windows, weather stripping/caulking can further increase the concentration of indoor air pollutants already present within the home.
What are the different types of air purifiers and which pollutants do they remove from the air?
AIR FILTER TYPEAIR POLLUTANTS IT REMOVES/BENEFITS
HEPA Filters
(High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters)
- Small pet dander particles
- Dust mite residue
- Pollen
Carbon Filters- Cigarette smoke
- Fireplace fumes
- Formaldehyde
- Volatile Organic Compounds
→ (i.e. paint fumes, carpet glues, new building
material etc.)
- Pet odors
- Kitchen odors
Pre-Filters- By trapping larger particles before they reach the
main filters of the air purifier, pre-filters are able to
extend the time between filter cleanings/changes
and maintain air purifier’s functionality and
efficiency
SOURCES
1) "Frequently Asked Questions About Air Purifiers." Sylvane. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://www.sylvane.com/air-purifier-faq.html>.
2) "Healthy Indoor Air | Clean and Fresh Indoor Living | Clean Air At Home." Healthy Indoor Air Clean and Fresh Indoor Living. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <http://healthyindoorair.ca/healthy-air-at-home/>.
3) Mama, Katie - Wellness. "How to Naturally Clean Indoor Air | Wellness Mama."Wellness Mama®. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://wellnessmama.com/4629/clean-indoor-air/>.
4) "Questions About Indoor Air Quality?" National Ag Safety Database - National Ag Safety Database. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2017.<http://nasdonline.org/1442/d001242/questions-about-indoor-air-quality.html>.
5) "Top 4 Ways to Purify Air at Home Naturally." Lung Institute. N.p., 16 June 2016. Web. 21 Mar. 2017. <https://lunginstitute.com/blog/top-4-ways-to-purify-air-at-home-naturally/>.