June 3rd is Clean Air Day. Today is about prompting actions such as walking, cycling and taking public transit in order to improve air quality. While these initiatives are good, I’ve been thinking about how to improve air quality in my home.
Poor indoor air quality can negatively impact our health. You can improve indoor air quality by identifying sources that lead to indoor air pollutants and removing or reducing them.
Sources of indoor air pollutants include the following:
- Mold, dampness, and water leaks
- Renovations and home improvement
- Household items and furniture
- House cleaning and laundry
One of the best ways to help reduce indoor air pollutants is to have proper ventilation. This means opening the windows (so long as the air quality outside is good), leaving interior doors open, and using bathroom and kitchen fans.
Another way to improve indoor air quality is by using an air purifier or filter. However, air cleaning on its own is rarely effective and should be used alongside practices such as proper ventilation and reducing contaminants at the source.
Not only does improving indoor air quality improve your home, but it also improves your health.
