We know all too well here in Arizona how many people are affected by allergies which, for many, cause all sorts of respiratory issues. With that in mind, its good, every once in a while, to address possible causes of this. While its true, there are many things that cause allergies, lets look at those within the home, more specifically, things that contribute to poor air quality in our homes.
Dust can be a huge issue here in the desert which unavoidably enters the home creating air quality issues. Pets can also have a big impact as pet dander and hair creates another air quality problem. What else causes poor home air quality? If homes are very old, lead paint and asbestos could be a problem, chemical cleaning products, formaldehyde and other solvents used in treating soft furnishings such as sofas and curtains, gas stoves, furnaces etc. These all are contributing factors when it comes to poor home air quality. What are some things we can do, then, to improve matters?
There are some very easy ways to do this. Frequent dusting and vacuuming will go a long way to lowering allergens in the home. Areas that need particular attention are places where pets sleep. Wiping surfaces with a damp cloth will also help with any lead dust particles that could be found in older homes. What else can be done? Switch chemical and aerosol cleaning products for non-chemical, non-aerosol types. Keep the home well ventilated to air out cushions, curtains and other soft furnishings. Replace air conditioning filters regularly and check to see if your carbon monoxide detectors are working well. It would be a good idea to have a yearly check done on certain appliances such as the furnace to make sure they are well maintained.
So, as we can see, there are many things in our homes that can contribute to poor air quality but, there are also simple things we can do to improve the situation.
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