. . . a guest blog by Josh Weiss-Roessler. This time of year I become incredibly domestic: the other day I actually purchased a strawberry huller! And even in my NYC apartment, it feels like spring because several of my houseplants bloom, somehow tuning into the forces of nature from behind a windowpane. Enjoy this information post by a talented young writer, and if the topic piques your interest, check out an entire book on the subject: How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purity the Air in Your Home and Office, by Dr. B.C. Wolverton.
You exercise to stay in shape and you eat only organic foods that are chock full of nutrition to keep your body running smoothly and free of harmful toxins. Maybe you even make a point of staying away when the news warns you that the pollution is too bad outside.
All of those are great ways to keep you healthy but if that’s all you do, you’re missing a huge part of the overall picture: indoor air quality. People today spend more time than ever before inside but most of us don’t put much thought into keeping the air in our homes and offices clean and safe.
We should, though, because poor indoor air quality can affect your body in a number of negative ways.
It makes health problems worse. If you suffer from things like asthma or COPD, studies have long shown that toxins and pollutants in the air can exacerbate your symptoms and worsen the condition—regardless of whether you’re inside or outside. In fact, a 2007 study found that indoor pollution was in some cases as much as 40 times worse than outdoor pollution.
It can lead to disease. A variety of lung diseases have been linked to poor indoor air quality, including asthma, lung cancer, and respiratory disease. It’s even been connected to heart disease in some people.
It can cause you do feel bad in all kinds of ways. Even if it doesn’t result in a major illness, people who are exposed to indoor areas with poor air quality often suffer from a number of unfortunate symptoms. Just a few of these include things like headaches, nausea, nasal congestion, dizziness, fatigue, dry eyes, skin irritation, and irritation in your respiratory system.
What You Can Do to Improve Your Indoor Air
Luckily, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure that you have the cleanest air possible inside your home or office. Some of these are incredibly easy, while others will mean bringing in outside help.
Exercise your green thumb. You may be aware that plants increase the amount of oxygen in an indoor space, but they also filter out common pollutants. Plus, they’re attractive additions to the décor, so why not bring a few of them into your home or office? Here are a few to consider:
- Aloe Vera: Removes formaldehyde and benzene (both common byproducts of chemical-based cleaners and paints). Added bonus: you can use the gel to heal cuts and burns.
- Spider Plant: Great for living spaces. It purifies air rapidly and removes formaldehyde.
- Dragon Tree: Also, great for living spaces. It removes formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene.
- Gerbera Daisy: This flower removes benzene and trichloroethylene, but it also releases oxygen at night making it well-suited for bedrooms.
- Philodendron: Moved into a new or recently renovated home? This is the plant for you. It’s effective at removing the formaldehyde released by new walls and floors.
- Snake Plant: This one is great for kitchens since it removes nitrogen oxide produced by fuel-burning appliances, as well as formaldehyde.
- English Ivy: In addition to removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air, it’s also been shown to reduce airborne fecal-matter particles, which makes it a great fit for homes with pets.Warneck Dracaena: Like to keep your furniture looking its best? Combat the pollutants released by those varnishes and oils with this plant.
- Peace Lily: There are few things worse than a poorly ventilated bathroom. This plant will help remove mold from the air.
Make sure there’s no asbestos. It’s amazing how many “helpful” materials and technologies we use that later turn out to be dangerous. Older homes and buildings often used cancer-causing asbestos to insulate them, so if you suspect this where you live, bring in a professional who know how to safely get it out of your place and make sure it’s properly disposed of.
Keep your floors clean. It doesn’t matter if you have wall-to-wall carpeting or hard floors, if you don’t do a good job of keeping them clean, dangerous toxins and contaminates will take up residence and cause you problems. Use vacuums with HEPA filters or microfiber mops for the best results, and try to do this cleaning at least two or three times a week. While you’re at it, get a doormat. Not only will you keep your floors free of dirt, you’ll avoid tracking in anything harmful from outside like chemicals or pesticides.
Find a good air purifier. Ever used a strainer or collander? Well, air cleaners work on a similar principle, except that instead of helping with food preparation, they’re designed to suck in allergens, contaminates, and pollutants. Air cleaners can remove various allergens, odors, bacteria, and toxins using different kinds of filters, but allow clean air to pass through and come back to you. Definitely do your homework before making a purchase, though, because models can run from over $1,000 to less than $150.
Crack a window. Probably the easiest and cheapest solution on here, it’s surprising how much cleaner you can make your air just by opening the windows every once in a while. We’re way too use to sealing ourselves off from the world and cranking up the A/C, but once the pollutants are already inside, all that does is help them to circulate. Let fresh air in and you’ll also be pushing contaminates out.
Watch the humidity. Too much humidity can make your space a breeding ground for all kinds of unwanted toxins, but you can keep yours low by using a dehumidifier, repairing leaks, running the A/C, opening windows, and (in places like the bathroom and kitchen) turning on exhaust fans. What should your humidity level be? Somewhere between 30 and 50 percent, according to experts.
Remember, maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle isn’t about doing just one thing. You have to look at the big picture and ensure that you don’t neglect something important. In the case of improving your indoor air quality, you might actually be saving your life.
Bio
Josh Weiss-Roessler is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. He writes blogs, articles, press releases, newsletters, and more for individuals and small businesses. Learn more at WeissRoessler.com.