Take Care of Your Clean Air

Your home is a safe space for you and your family to grow and live, but are you sure that you are not compromising your air quality without realizing it? Take some steps to ensure that the air you are breathing in your home is safe and healthy!

Air fresheners: These products are often doing the exact opposite of freshening your air. Made with toxic chemicals, which do not really eliminate odor, but simply mask it, these dangerous products can cause damage to your health, as well as the health of your family.

Cleaning products: A general rule for cleaning products is if you can smell them, they are toxic! Products that contain bleach and other chemicals make it hard to breathe and can even cause your eyes to burn. Don't use them!

Carbon monoxide: Make sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, and check it often to make sure it is working. Carbon monoxide can result from cigarette smoke, cars, heaters, dryers, stoves, or anything that does not run on electricity. 

Formaldehyde: Did you know formaldehyde is used to bond different products in new homes, trailers, and mobile homes? Insulation, plywood, and plastics can all expel this toxin into the air for years.

Cosmetics: Aerosol cans containing hairspray, deodorant, or other cosmetic products can release toxins into the air when you spray them. Try looking for alternative cosmetic products that are natural and biodegradable!

You! Yes, even human lungs and skin release toxins into the air, which is why checking the air quality in your home, and making sure you have proper air flow is essential. Periodically open windows and doors and change your furnace filters regularly to ensure that your air is clean.

The Importance of Clean Air (Part 1)

While you know that air pollution is a problem that can contribute to health issues among other things, sometimes it is easy to forget about it. Since air pollution is invisible and the negative effects of it are so gradual, preventing it can sometimes get put on the back burner. But it is important to think ahead! Your health could slowly deteriorate from breathing in toxic and unclean air, so understanding why clean air is important is essential!

Respiratory problems. Air that is contaminated affects you more harshly if you suffer from a respiratory condition. It can cause symptoms like coughing, sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation, and even lead to more dangerous asthmatic or allergic reactions. In fact, if air is contaminated for a long period of time, it can lead to an epidemic of asthma in the home or community.

Other health issues. Depending on what exactly is contaminating the air, multiple health problems could stem from breathing it in. If a dangerous or toxic chemical is inhaled, there are any number of ways it can attack the body and decrease your health significantly. These health issues can range from learning disabilities, to cardiovascular diseases, and even premature death.

Natural air pollution.  It is important to recognize the difference between natural air pollution and what some call "urban" air pollution. Natural air pollution has been around for millions of years in the form of bacterias, viruses, pollen, and pet dander. Being exposed to these natural substances can actually build up a healthy immune system for you and your family.

Urban air pollution. Urban air pollution comes from machinery, vehicles, cleaning products, building materials, and paints. It is an unnatural source of pollution that attacks the body's immune system and weakens it to the point where we cannot defend against even natural air pollutants any longer.