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7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality, Today

Jun 21, 2022

7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality, Today

Do you know pet dander is something that affects indoor air quality? Did you know some air cleaners emit ozone which is considered an indoor pollutant? But what’s the most important thing you need to know? Poor indoor air quality could affect your health. It’s easy to pass off the quality of your indoor air as something not worth considering, but you’ve heard of the saying, health is everything?

That saying goes way back.

The American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The first wealth, is health". And he’s not the only one. Mahatma Gandhi, a famous lawyer from India in the 1940’s said, "It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver". Add to this list Greek philosophers and physicians of old such as Herophilus, Epicurus and Hippocrates. All these men knew without health you have nothing.

Isn’t breathing healthy air part of that equation?

Challenge is 90% of the time we all stay put inside and that poses the problem. Poor indoor air could cause short or long term health affects. If you’ve got an abundance of mold or pet dander in your home, it could trigger shortness of breath, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, dizziness, all symptoms that sound similar to an allergic reaction. Long term affects include cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease, all serious indeed.

The EPA says indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.1

There are a number of factors inside your home or even workplace that contribute to poor air. The EPA calls natural pollutants biological pollutants. Those coming from plants and animals. Pet dander is considered a pollutant. And so are pollen, viruses, bacteria, mold, dust mite droppings as well as urine from rats and mice (when it dries, the urine becomes airborne2) and droppings from cockroaches, rodents and insects.

So what’s the best solution to deter these offenders?

Keep the humidity low in your home to something between 30-50% which lowers the chance of growth for dust mites and mold for instance. Vacuum. Clean your home. Dust. Make sure exhaust fans are working in bathrooms, kitchens and vent clothes dryers to the outside to keep moisture at a minimum.

There are other indoor air pollutants

One type is known as combustion pollutants. We cook with gas stoves. We might use the fireplace or wood stove. Perhaps we heat with coal. All these substances can release carbon monoxide and particulate matter into the air we breathe.

How to deal with combustion pollutants?

Simply open a window. Open a window to let fresh air in which dilutes the pollutants while allowing these pollutants to be pushed outside.

VOC or violate organic compounds are another source that irritate us in our homes. These include insecticides, cleaning products, air fresheners, craft supplies (glue, permanent marker etc), paint, dry cleaned clothing and some cosmetics (nail polish and remover for instance). New carpet or pressed wood furniture are also VOC. Formaldehyde is a well known VOC.

As far as VOC’s, remove certain materials such as paint, insecticides, cleaning products and aerosol spray products to the garage. Don’t purchase air fresheners, or smelly cleaning products. Permanent markers are a VOC and if crafting inside, just open a window. Purchase small amounts of products so they aren’t sitting in your cupboards.

Tobacco smoke is another combustion pollutant which adds a host of toxic chemicals into the air. A very serious one in that there are over 7,000 chemicals in the air from tobacco products.

Consider purchasing a portable air filter

This filter is designed for one room only so purchase one that’s rated for the square footage of the room you will be using the most. A bedroom is an ideal choice since you’ll be in that room more hours in the day than anywhere else in your home. If that’s not possible, upgrade your HVAC (Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning) air filter say from a 5 to a 13 MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) rating. An HVAC filter can help improve your whole house while a portable air cleaner works only in the room it’s working in.

Do portable air filters work?

I have seasonal allergies and can attest if the portable air filter is running at night in my bedroom, i use far less tissues in the morning. And this clinches it for me: Modest empirical evidence suggests that mechanical filters will have positive effects on health, especially for reducing adverse allergy or asthma outcomes, but not on acute health symptoms in the general population, often called sick-building syndrome (SBS) symptoms.2

How do you determine which air filter to buy?

According to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Many packaged air cleaners using multiple technologies are tested using the protocol of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) (AHAM 2013) to determine performance reported as the clean-air delivery rate (CADR) for specific contaminants (usually dust, tobacco smoke and pollen).The performance is a function of the inherent efficiency of the air-cleaning technologies used and the device airflow rate, as well as the indoor setting.3

In other words CADR is what you need to look for. The higher the rating the faster and more often it will clean the air. It’s important to understand a portable air filter only works in the room you place it in. It has to be rated for square footage in order for it to work effectively.

Quick points you can do today to reduce indoor air pollutants

1.) Keep moisture levels low in your home between 30-50%. How do you do that? Make sure exhaust vents for your clothes dryer, and vents in bathrooms and kitchens are working.

2.) Vacuum and dust weekly. Clean your home regularly. It’s easy if you clean 10 minutes a day, every day.

3.) Open your windows, except on high pollen count days. Let the air flow. Get a cross breeze going.

4.) If you smoke, smoke outside.

5.) Remove pesticides, cleaning products and paint to the garage.

6.) Refuse to use air fresheners.

7.) Purchase a portable air cleaner or upgrade your HVAC system air filter.

As a side note- what about travel?

I’ve noticed a number of older hotels use air fresheners in their hotel rooms. Avoid them if possible. Ask to “view" a room and explain your sensitivity to air fresheners or cleaning products. Do you notice scents in the reception area? If you smell air freshener chances are the room will smell worse. If you’re stuck, open a window if you can and turn on the portable air cleaning machine you brought with you.

And since wealth is health, it’s time to put a little more effort into the air you breathe?

1 https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

2 https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/filtration-and-air-cleaning-pd-feb.2.2021.pdf

3 https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/filtration-and-air-cleaning-pd-feb.2.2021.pdf

Common Questions

Are there allergy-friendly toys available to prevent dust mite infestation?

Yes, there are indeed allergy-friendly toys available specifically designed to prevent dust mite infestation. Parents have found a clever solution by placing their children's toys in the freezer for 24 hours, effectively killing the dust mites. However, if this seems impractical, there are alternative options. Today, you can find a wide range of allergy-friendly children's toys and even toys suitable for pets that are specifically made to withstand frequent washing. These toys are designed to be easily cleaned, minimizing the chances of dust mites accumulating and causing allergies or respiratory issues. With the availability of these allergy-friendly toys, parents can provide a safer and healthier play environment for their children.

Can dust mites be killed by sunlight or freezing?

Dust mites can indeed be effectively killed by both sunlight and freezing temperatures. Exposing items that may be infested with dust mites, such as rugs, to direct sunlight for a duration of three hours can result in their elimination. Similarly, freezing can also be a useful method to eradicate dust mites. By placing items like children's toys in a freezer for 24 hours, dust mites can be killed off. These methods have been widely practiced by parents in order to rid their homes of dust mite infestations.

How do HEPA air purifiers and dehumidifiers help reduce dust mites in the air?

HEPA air purifiers are highly effective in reducing the presence of dust mites in the air. These purifiers work by filtering out airborne particles like dust, mold, pollen, animal dander, and other allergens. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that thrive in environments with high levels of moisture. By capturing these particles, HEPA air purifiers significantly reduce the number of dust mites in the air you breathe.

Additionally, it is important to avoid ionic air cleaners when choosing an air purifier aimed at reducing dust mites. Ionic air cleaners can emit ozone, which is a lung irritant and can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Unfortunately, some popular air cleaners actually contribute to air pollution by releasing ozone. To make an informed decision, you can refer to our Air Purifier Buying Guide for more information on selecting the right air purifier to effectively combat dust mites and other airborne allergens.

In addition to HEPA air purifiers, dehumidifiers also play a crucial role in reducing dust mites in the air. Dust mites are unable to survive without adequate moisture levels in the environment, and excess moisture creates an ideal breeding ground for these microscopic pests. By removing excess moisture from the air, dehumidifiers help to create an inhospitable environment for dust mites to thrive in.

To effectively control dust mite populations, it is recommended to maintain a relative humidity level between 40% and 50%. You can use a Digital Humidity Gauge to monitor the humidity levels in your home and ensure they stay within this range. For a more detailed understanding of how dehumidifiers work and the different options available, refer to our comprehensive Dehumidifier Buying Guide.

By using HEPA air purifiers to filter out dust mites and other allergens, and utilizing dehumidifiers to control moisture levels, you can significantly reduce the presence of dust mites in the air and create a healthier indoor environment.

Besides dust mite covers, what other methods can be used to control dust mites in the environment?

To effectively control dust mites in your environment besides using dust mite covers, there are several strategies you can employ:

1. Regular Vacuuming: Vacuuming frequently with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter can help reduce dust mites. HEPA filters are designed to trap at least 99.97% of allergenic particles, effectively removing dust mites and their allergens from carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces.

2. Anti-Allergen Cleaning Products: Use specially formulated anti-allergen cleaning products to clean and dust surfaces in your home. These products are designed to minimize allergens, including dust mite allergens, and help reduce their presence.

3. Anti-Allergen Laundry Care: Washing bedding, curtains, and other fabrics in anti-allergen laundry detergents or adding anti-allergen laundry additives can effectively remove dust mites and their allergens. This step is particularly crucial for items that come into contact with your skin.

4. HEPA Air Purifiers: Consider using HEPA air purifiers to filter the air in your home. These purifiers are effective in capturing particles such as dust, mold spores, pollen, and animal dander, including dust mite allergens. However, avoid ionic air cleaners that can emit ozone, a lung irritant that may trigger asthma attacks and breathing difficulties.

5. Regulate Indoor Humidity: Dust mites thrive in environments with high moisture levels. By using dehumidifiers, you can reduce excess moisture in the air, making it less suitable for dust mites and mold spores to survive. Aim for a relative humidity of 40% to 50% to discourage dust mite growth. Monitoring the humidity using a digital humidity gauge can help you maintain the optimal levels.

By implementing these additional methods, you can create an inhospitable environment for dust mites, effectively reducing their population and minimizing the presence of allergens that can trigger allergies and asthma.

What are dust mites and how were they discovered?

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that belong to the arachnid family, making them relatives of spiders. These tiny organisms were unknown to humans until the invention of the microscope by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 1694. When Leeuwenhoek first observed these creatures in magnified photographs, he was astonished and disturbed by their presence. Considering their minuscule size, they were unnoticeable to the naked eye. In fact, it was only through the use of a microscope that their existence was revealed.

Dust mites obtained their scientific name, Dermatophagoides, which means "skin eater," due to their feeding habits. The primary source of food for these creatures is dead human skin, which constitutes a significant portion of the dust found in homes. Consequently, even a small cluster of dust can act as an abundant buffet for dust mites. It is worth noting that astonishingly high numbers of dust mites can be found in just half a teaspoon of dust, potentially reaching up to 1,000 individuals.

What are dust mites and how were they discovered?

The number of dust mites present in a mattress can range from about 100,000 to as high as 10,000,000, depending on the age of the mattress. It is important to note that dust mite populations have the potential to grow rapidly. A single female dust mite can lay around 25 to 30 eggs per week, contributing to the exponential increase in their population.