8 important tips to improve the air quality in your home

How polluted is indoor air? Can indoor air become 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air?

People spend most of the day indoors, so it is important to keep things that cause air pollution away from the home, and to make sure the home is well ventilated. Read also A secret detective in your house … Why do kids love eavesdropping on family members?Your toothbrush, your pillow, your fridge … hidden enemies in your homeElectric vaporizers are more dangerous than tobacco .. Reasons to stop using them in your home They can detect dangerous substances … Illuminated shoelaces guide you home at night

Here are some advice from the American Lung Association to purify the air that we breathe every day, especially in light of the spread of the Corona virus and everyone’s attempts to maintain the health and immunity of the respiratory system.

• I do not smoke indoors

Some indoor pollutants can kill. Passive smoking is among the most dangerous. Thousands of children undergo treatment, or develop a respiratory infection due to secondhand smoke, and it also makes the elderly with cardiovascular or lung diseases more vulnerable to health problems.

It is mentioned that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke, so you should never smoke in the home.

• The use of paints with low volatile compounds

The paints release trace amounts of gases for months after painting, although they appear completely dry and odorless.

These gases are called “volatile organic compounds” and can contain highly toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which cause coughing and asthma attacks.

It is preferable to use low-odor and water-based paints, in addition to this it must be ensured that the remaining paint containers are not stored indoors.

• Keep pets out of bedrooms

You may have an allergy from pets, whether it is allergic to animal saliva and fur or dead skin cells, so care must be taken to keep furry animals out of the bedrooms, especially if you are allergic, and clean the floors and furniture frequently with a vacuum cleaner, especially In tight spaces, such as the corners of sofas, behind furniture, and upholstery that sticks to hair or fur.

• Reduce carpet usage

Carpet traps unhealthy particles, including dust mites, pet dander, dirt and fungi, so it is best to vacuum clean the carpet, even if it helps spread these particles into the air.

The best solution is to reduce the use of carpets as much as possible, because cleaning wood floors, tiles or porcelain is more easy, and it does not retain unhealthy particles permanently after cleaning.

• Get rid of dust mites

Dust allergy is actually an allergy to dust mites, which are microscopic pests that need moisture to survive.

Dust mites feed on human skin, and live in pillows, mattresses, stuffed toys, and upholstery.

To fight dust mites, you should constantly clean with a vacuum cleaner and hot steam, in addition to changing the bed linen and pillows frequently and washing them with boiling water, and you can also use anti-dust mites, which are narrow fabrics that do not allow the passage of dust or water.

• Proper ventilation

One of the best ways to protect and improve the air in the home is proper ventilation. Higher levels of humidity increase the possibility of mold growth, which increases coughing and asthma attacks in allergy sufferers.

Normal daily activities, including cooking, cleaning and even breathing, produce water vapor that raises humidity levels, so adequate ventilation is essential.

•  Use of candles and natural materials

When choosing candles, one should avoid using paraffin wax, which emits toxic carcinogens such as benzene and toluene when burning. Therefore, it is preferable to choose candles made of natural materials and beeswax, and it is also preferable to choose candles that do not contain artificial perfumes or dyes. It is also advised to use liquid cleaning products instead of sprays, avoid scented products and maintain natural ventilation.

•  Clean the kitchen and bathroom frequently

Cooking can be a great source of household air pollution. Scientists have found that cooking one meal on a gas stove produces high levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is unsafe for breathing, so the kitchen must be ventilated or an air hood should be placed over the stove.

The bathroom is also one of the biggest sources of moisture inside the home, so it must be cleaned and kept as dry as possible, and the curtains inside it should be cleaned so that it does not become a fertile environment for the growth of bacteria, taking into account its ventilation through the window or the air ventilation after showering.

Proper breathing

After reviewing all indoor air pollutants, healthy breathing remains one of the most important reasons for the comfort and strength of the respiratory system. If you breathe effectively, your breaths will be smooth and controlled, and you will get enough air without straining.