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The image of air pollution and that of the outdoors seem to be attached like Siamese twins. Yet, how often have you conjured up the mental picture of air pollution with that of the insides of a trendy urban home? Probably never. Just because it is unseen makes us unaware of it.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) accounts for most of our indoor colds, skin allergies and eats into our immune system.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution:
IAQ is dependent on the amount of air contaminants inside your home such as quantities of suspended particles, vapors from household gadgets (humidifiers, computers etc) , fumes and gases from chemical products we use (deodorants, hair sprays, nail enamel removers, dyes, perfumes, cigarettes) as well molds, mildew and bacteria, building material (asbestos), wall and furniture paints, oil, kerosene, insect and plant pesticides, starch sprays and other aerosols, fumes from hot non-stick ware vessels, certain plants that emanate specific aroma, dirt in general and open windows that let in high emissions from the outside etc.
How Indoor Air Pollution affects you:
Treatable conditions - Allergic rhinitis, sneezing, runny eyes and nose, shortness of breath, lethargy, nausea, coughing and throat allergies etc.
Conditions that require aggressive management – Asthma, skin allergies etc
Critical conditions- Sometimes health conditions come to the surface after being exposed to bad IAQ for years such as cancer or cardiac conditions etc.
What You Can Do To Improve Your IAQ:
Get the IAQ of your home measured/checked especially for radon and lead contamination.
Identify which of the above-mentioned sources is a problem for you.
Re-adjust and place the emitting equipments near windows or ventilation sources.
Check to see if you have enough and working/ effective ventilators, chimneys etc at home.
Install air-cleaning devices if it is not possible to eliminate the source of the pollution.
Consult your doctor to tackle your health condition arising from out of poor IAQ.
Open windows more often.
Clean out the house for molds and stuffy air, webs etc.
Grow more plants in and around your home that will use up the carbon di-oxide content of the air.
Smoke outside your home or with a ventilator on.
Purchase non-toxic material and paints for your home.
Check out to wash/replace filters for the air-conditioners etc
Use less of the polluting/emitting products and dispose them safely after the contents are used-up.
You may also refer to the guidelines issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, US for help.
Mamta Singh is a published author, seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. Mamta runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business, and is presently training as a Holistic Healing Therapist from the U.K. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation.
Link: http://www.migrainingjenny.wordpress.com and http://www.footstrike.wordpress.com
Add a Comment2 Comments
Thank you Pat for sharing this valuable piece of information with other allergy sufferers! Together, we are empowered.
PS: There is a powerful site which runs a great community and forum of multiple allergy sufferers and those who experience multiple chemical sensitivities. They share information on what has worked for them as well as new researches which are emerging with new solutions to this problem. It's called The Canary Report. It can be accessed by clicking on the link http://thecanaryreport.ning.com/. You may also copy and paste it on the address bar of the screen.
Here's hoping you are relieved from this condition soon.
Best Regards,
October 5, 2009 - 8:46pmMamta
This Comment
I have multiple allergies and was advised early on by my allergist to take steps to manage both the indoor and outdoor air exposure. One thing that's been very helpful, and has improved my sleep, is having an air filter unit in my bedroom. I've also eliminated, as much as possible, items with fragrance, including scented candles. I hated giving away the candles, but not having them around has made a positive difference.
October 5, 2009 - 6:09pmThis Comment