Improve The Indoor Air Quality in Your Home!!!
[Helpful Tips for Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Living Environment]
Consumer IAQ Checklist:
| Many IAQ problems can be managed without the aid of professionals. The following is a checklist of practical actions that you can take to improve and maintain the environment in homes or other buildings. |
- Eliminate moisture sources - Most spores, molds, and bacteria require high levels of moisture to reproduce. Repair any minor plumbing leaks, caulk around showers and baths. Seal all tile grout annually. Be certain the floor coverings near moisture sources are watertight. Check for roof, flashing, window, and siding leaks in the building. Grade the flower beds so that rain and irrigation water falls away from the building.
- Good housekeeping - If you have some mold-like growths, clean them weekly with a solution of 10% bleach and 90% warm water. This treatment is inexpensive and effective. Check color fastness before using.
- Ventilate frequently - when moisture-laden air is present. Open windows when the outside conditions are comfortable. Fresh air dilutes the buildup of indoor pollutants. Clean the blower of small exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. This can increase the capacity of these small fans by up to five times.
- Investigate unpleasant smells - Remove the sources of the odors or clean up the conditions causing them. Simply follow your nose. Your nose will become accustomed to the smell after a few minutes of hunting. Stop for 20 minutes, and then resume the search.
- Air filters - Change between regularly scheduled air conditioning and heating system services. Air filters capture airborne pollutants in your home. These are removed as you change your air filter. Change filters only when the fan is off to avoid spreading the particles caught in the filter. Place the used filter in a garbage bag to contain the pollutants lodged in the filter.
- Leave windows open and fans running - when painting or installing new carpets or furniture, the first couple of days to dilute airborne Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are released from these sources. This will eliminate the burning eyes and runny nose symptoms.
- Vacuum cleaner bags - Change outdoors and avoid breathing the dust in the bags as much as possible. Like air filters, dust bags are a collection point for pollutants.
- Wet towels and rags - Wash and dry immediately after each use. Mold can grow in just 72 hours if humidity is over 90%. Below 70%, most molds take more than 100 days to establish themselves.
- Cleaning agents, paints, chemicals and solvents - Keep in tightly sealed containers when not immediately in use. Ventilate areas while using these products.
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