![]() ![]() – are bad for energy efficiency but good for air quality.Īccording to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a house that is well-sealed “may have higher pollutant levels than other homes.” Leaky houses – or houses that exchange indoor air with outdoor air via openings around windows and doors, etc. Up to 1500 square feet – Midea Dehumidifierģ.For small spaces – Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier (up to 150 square feet) or Honati Home Dehumidifier (up to 260 square feet).If humidity levels are over the recommended ranges, a dehumidifier can be helpful. ![]() Make sure to pay close attention to areas that are likely to be more humid, such as bathrooms and the kitchen. You can test indoor humidity levels using a humidity monitor called a hygrometer, which is highly accurate and easy to read. that specializes in mold toxicity suggests aiming for the 40% range with a max of 50%. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor humidity levels between 30 percent and 60 percent.Ī friend of mine who is a functional medicine M.D. (6)ĭoormats may also help reduce the amount of pesticides and other contaminants tracked into the home.Įxcess moisture is a breeding ground for bacterial, mold and mildew growth, while too little moisture can cause dry skin and mucous membranes (throat, nose, eyes,). Removing shoes at the door reduced lead dust by 60 percent over a five month period, but using a doormat and then removing shoes at the door reduced indoor lead dust by 98.5%. ![]() Use A Doormat (Yep, it’s that simple)Īccording to an EPA report called The Doormat Study, lead-contaminated soil tracked into the home is the source of almost all the lead dust inside homes. Now, here are six budget-friendly ways to make your indoor environment healthier (plus a couple of options that are more of an investment). If you want to dive deeper into what each one is, this post on choosing the best air purifier is a good place to start. In my home, the goal is not to eliminate all microbes, but to discourage the overgrowth of ones that don’t work symbiotically for our benefit. Bacteria and viruses – Our home have a microbiome just like our digestive tracts do.Mold and mildew, which can have a variety of health effects including breathing difficulties, fatigue, neurological and other problems.Dust, pollen and pet dander, which are all allergens that may exacerbate symptoms for people with asthma or seasonal/environmental allergies.Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are linked to difficulties with focus, headaches, irritability, depression, dizziness, nausea, allergies, asthma, liver, kidney and central nervous system damage, some types of cancer, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.Flame retardant particles that have been linked to lowered IQ, developmental problems, cancer, reproductive problems and thyroid dysfunction.It took awhile for me to research and choose a high quality air purifier, so while I was waiting I researched and implemented several other strategies to improve indoor air quality.īefore we dive into them, though, let’s take a look at the pollutants they target. (1)įortunately, little changes can make a big difference, and I’ll cover what you can do to easily improve indoor air quality in this article. ![]() According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air in your home or office is likely to be 2-5 times (sometimes up to 100 times) more polluted than the air outside. However, a clean air check-in every once in awhile is well worth your time. Personally I think that’s a good thing, because there’s already so much to focus on – cooking with wholesome ingredients, swapping out home products for non-toxic options, time with family, good sleep, and more. We take in about 23,000 breaths every single day, mostly without thinking about it. ![]()
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