Improving Air Quality in Your Home

Here are 3 tips for improving air quality in your home from the Environmental Protection Agency.

1 - Source control.  Eliminate individual sources of pollution....areas that contain asbestos can be sealed off or enclosed and gas stoves can be adjusted to decrease their emissions.

2 - Improved Ventilation.  Heating and cooling systems don't usually bring fresh air into your home.
Open windows and doors, operate window or attic fans weather permitting or run a window air conditioner with the vent control open.  Pollutant-emitting activities like painting, sanding, soldering or welding should be done outside.

3 - Air Cleaners.  There are many types & sizes of air cleaners on the market from relatively inexpensive tabletop models to sophisticated whole house systems.  Some air cleaners are highly effective while others are much less so.  Air cleaners are not designed to remove gaseous pollutants.

A simple solution would be to try a house plant.  There is some evidence that household plants can help remove significant quantities of pollutants from the air in your home.  But, over watering plants can be detrimental to your home's air quality...damp soil can promote the growth of microorganisms.