Learn how to improve your home's air quality and improve your health. Tips and articles about indoor air quality.
Radon is a radioactive, odorless, colorless gas formed by the decay of radium that occurs in soil, water and natural gas. The U.S. Surgeon General has listed radon as the number two cause of lung cancer, and it accounts for about 20,000 deaths annually.
Indoor air pollution is a problem we are just beginning to understand. As our homes become more tightly sealed to conserve energy resources, problems become more apparent. People generally get interested in the issue when they notice certain health symptoms correlating with time spent in a particular indoor location. Similarly, people get curious when they encounter persistent, unidentified odors.
Studies show that often the dirtiest air we breathe is in our own homes. As we walk through the house, air turbulence created by our moving bodies stirs up a combination of dust and debris that can be irritating to the lungs.
Studies show that often, the dirtiest air we breathe is in our homes. This is especially true if the ducts that deliver the air have dust and dirt build up. If someone in your home has allergies or you would like to reduce the number of contaminants in the air in your home, follow these steps:
Most of us enjoy breathing sweet, clean air. But for people who suffer from allergies and respiratory problems, clean air is a necessity, not an indulgence. Fortunately, homeowners these days have a wide range of options that can help them breathe more easily and comfortably in the home.
Q: We just bought our first home and we have noticed that the air is very dry, and there is static electricity build up, etc. The HVAC/AC system we have now is a dual system, one in the attic and one in the crawl space. Is there a whole house humidifier for this type of HVAC system?
Radon gas is drawn into homes or buildings through cracks in the foundation or slab and through unsealed pipes, sumps, drains, walls and other openings. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is produced by naturally decaying uranium and radium. As radon decays, it forms radioactive by-products, which can be inhaled and cause damage to lung tissue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all homes in the United States be tested for radon gas.
Debris often ends up in your home's ducts through the registers. Unless removed, fine particles from the debris, which can be respiratory irritants, can circulate within the ducts and enter a room through the registers. Air ducts should be cleaned and vacuumed to remove any particles that may have entered during construction or over time.
The indoor air we breathe is often dirtier and more polluted than the visible pollution we endure outside. Poor indoor air quality can cause such problems as asthma, respiratory allergies and aggravated emphysema.
When you shop for an air cleaner, be sure you're comparing apples to apples. With a tabletop or room air cleaner, pay attention to how many CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air move through the unit. For each 250 square feet of space, figure you'll need about 100 CFM. Room models can handle up to about 400 CFM and tabletop models top out at about 175 CFM.
The spectrum of air filters and cleaners are differentiated in a number of ways. Here's a look at the main types of air cleaners and filters.