1. The EPA ranks indoor air pollutants as a top five environmental risk to public health.
There are many sources of pollution in your home. Some you probably know about, like cleaning products, cigarettes, and pet dander, and some might surprise you. In addition to things within your home, many outdoor pollutants make their way into your home. The EPA found that indoor levels of pollutants are sometimes 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor pollutant levels.
2. Your furniture might be the culprit.
If there weren’t already enough unpronounceable chemicals to worry about, polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) are flame retardant chemicals that, before 2006, were used in furniture foam, plastics, fabrics, and appliances. Over several years, the EPA ran studies which found out that these chemicals could cause liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. Thankfully, the EPA helped to phase out the production and use of these chemicals.
3. Air fresheners and candles do the opposite of what you hoped.
The Natural Resources Defense Council performed a study on air fresheners in 2007. Of the 14 air fresheners they tested, 12 contained phthalates, which have been known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems. Most candles are made with paraffin wax, which is extracted from petroleum. As much as you might think that the fresheners and candles you buy freshen your home, they simply do the opposite. While they might smell good, they are releasing toxins and known carcinogens.
The best way to freshen your home is opening your door and windows to circulate air naturally. But if you love candles like I do, start buying 100% soy or beeswax candles. They can fill your home with wonderful smells without chemicals.
4. Not wiping off shoes can bring in more than mud.
If you only wipe your shoes off when they’re muddy, you might want to reconsider. Sidewalks and grass that you walk on can be covered in lead dust, paint flecks, fertilizers, and animal waste. The EPA found that 80% of our exposure to pesticides happens inside, from tracked-in contaminants. To solve this, always brush off your shoes outside, and leave them just right on the other side of the door instead of bringing them through the rest of the house.
5. We spend most of our time inside.
You might not realize it, but we spend around 90% of our time indoors. This simply emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean air in your home and office. The best strategies for improving indoor air quality are:
- Improving ventilation by opening windows every once in a while.
- Use highly-rated air filters for your furnace and air conditioner. DiscountFilters.com offers a huge selection of air filters for your home at huge discounts.
- Buy HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) vacuums and air purifiers. HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of minute particles.
- Regarding the facts above, rid your home of toxic air fresheners, paint, candles, furniture, and more.
- And get outside regularly!
- Get high quality discount air filters today and begin breathing cleaner indoor air.
- All of our discount filters come with free shipping and returns.
