In our last article we looked at the potential causes of air pollutants in our home. In this article, we will look at ways to reduce and treat these pollutants. Here are a few suggestions:

• Make sure when using gas or kerosene heaters or even stoves etc that the room is well ventilated, try opening a door or window so that fresh air can flow throughout the room, as these appliances can release carbon monoxide into the air.
• When using cleaning chemicals in the home, try to avoid using aerosols and opt for non toxic cleaners, also make sure you read the instructions on the bottle to make sure you use them in the appropriate way.

• If you have pets in your home, make sure to vacuum and clean regularly, especially in areas where your pets sleep etc. Bathe and groom your pets on a regular basis.

• Certain types of new furniture and soft furnishings contain formaldehyde and can release formaldehyde gas, try to ventilate the area. Hang your curtains and soft furnishings in a well ventilated space at first to air them out.

• If you're a smoker, try and smoke outside as the smoke from tobacco contains harmful chemicals.

• Areas that can be prone to mold and damp (such as basements) should be inspected regularly. Your home inspector can help you with this.

As always, we are happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

More and more people nowadays are being affected by pollutants in the air.  These can cause many different allergies and respiratory ailments.  It's important then, to analyze how good the air quality is in our home, especially as it's the place we spend most of our time.

The bad news is that every room of our home has potentially harmful pollutants in it and in general, outdoor air is better quality than indoor air.  The good news is that something can usually be done about it.

Here are a few potential air quality hazards to look out for:

• Heaters, gas stoves, furnaces etc. that are not properly ventilated
• Damp and humid areas where mold and mildew can grow
• Pet dander, dust mites, and insects such as cockroaches
• Household cleaning products
• Solvents used to treat furnishings such as curtains and couches
• Asbestos and lead paints if the house is older
• Dust and pollen

This is a brief overview of the potential hazards to air quality in the home, but as we can see, most of us have at least a few of these in our home.

In the next blog, we will look at what can be done to treat these issues, as well as ways to prevent them.

Please contact us with any questions you may have about the air quality in your home