Air Quality

1/13/2017 (Permalink)

This photo shows a return before cleaning ductwork.

Many of us are exposed to toxins everyday and we do not realize it. Toxins can cause short term allergies, illnesses, and they even cause us to age. Over time, exposure to toxins can have even more disastrous consequences. If you answer yes to any of the following, consider making a change to improve your home's air quality and lessen your exposure to toxins.

Healthy Home Checklist

• Do you smoke in your home?
• Do your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room have adequate ventilation and exhaust fans?
• Do you change your air filters once a month?
• When cleaning or doing laundry, do you use bleach, ammonia or aerosol spray cans?
• Is your gas fireplace and/or gas stove checked yearly for emissions?
• Was your home built before 1978? If so, has it been checked for lead-based paint?
• Do your bathrooms have carpet?

Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

• Asbestos building products when dislodged (no longer intact)
• Biological contaminants such as mold, dust, mites, viruses, and pet dander
• Carbon Monoxide
• Formaldehyde found in pressure treated wood
• Lead (pre-1978 house paint)
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Particulates found in dust, pollen, cleaning sprays and poorly ventilated areas
• Tobacco smoke
• Volatile organic compounds including household cleaning products, pesticides, and aerosol propellants