Articles

Hidden Pollutants in Your Home

by Melissa W. Content Writer

Indoor air pollution can be a serious health risk. The Environmental Protection Agency say the air we breathe inside our home can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Indoor air pollution are harmful airborne contaminants that resides inside our loving home. 


They can be pollutants from gases, appliances, animals and materials, and while many of them have no smell and can’t be seen, they can create many short and long-term health problems. The EPA uses the Air quality index to measure five major pollutants for which it has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act. The pollutants are nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particle pollution and ground-level ozone. Here are some household products that may contain some of this pollutants.

1.Paints

The paints and finishes we use for decorating our homes has a great effect in measuring AQI. Paints and varnishes are known to contain VOCs, releasing the harmful chemicals as gases in the air. Other liquids used on wood furniture, such as varnishes, lacquers and stains release chemicals into the air too, making proper ventilation a must. Use paint types such as waterborne paints, powder coatings, ultraviolet (UV) light or electron beam-curable coatings, or higher-solids paints.

2.Scented Candles

Candles are another source of indoor air pollution. Certain types of candles contain toxic chemicals such as toluene and benzene, which are released into the air when burned. If you use candles and air fresheners choose products that are less-likely to release harmful chemicals, such as beeswax and soy candles and eco-friendly air sprays.

3.Cleaning Products.

Many conventional household cleaning products often include harmful chemicals. Even cleaners who proudly label their products as “green” or “organic” may contain ingredients that can cause health problems. Notably, natural citrus fragrances can react with the air to produce dangerous pollutants indoors. But conventional cleaning products are still far worse, as they may contain ammonia, alcohol, chlorine, or petroleum-based solvents, all which can have adverse effects on health.

4. Air Purifiers.

Knowing that the air in our home may contain dangerous pollutants, some of us have invested in air purifiers to remove the toxins. However, some air purifiers release immense amounts of ozone into the atmosphere. Consistent exposure to it has been linked to chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD.

5. Carpet

Many people spend much of their day in a carpeted workplace. Carpets act like toxic sponges, sucking up dangerous amounts of poisons and pollutants dragged into the home by pets and on shoes.

6. Printers

Printers spit out more than just expense reports and flight confirmations–they also spray around lots of microparticles of ozone,tone and ink. About one-third of printers are “high emitters,” which means they churn out as many harmful airborne particles as you’d find on a traffic-clogged street.

Even after cleaning up, sometimes there are residue that is left in the air that can sometimes pose an imminent threat to our health. Good way to be sure that the air we breathe is VOC-free, we can use an Air Quality monitor like Acer Indoor Air Quality Monitor. It can detect if the indoor air is in the allowed level so you can be sure that the air you breathe is safe.

You can find full information at Amazon store or Acer Official Site.


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About Melissa W. Innovator   Content Writer

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Joined APSense since, November 2nd, 2017, From Saint John, Virgin Islands, U.S..

Created on Dec 10th 2017 04:05. Viewed 367 times.

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