Indoor Air Quality in More Important Than Ever

Indoor Air Quality

Mar 30

March 31, 2020, by Lisa Powers

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease that affects your lungs so now is a good time to be thinking about keeping your lungs, and your overall health, as strong as possible. According to the American Lung Association, air pollution can make the COVID-19 pandemic worse. Since it is a disease affecting the lungs, people who live in places with more air pollution could be more vulnerable.

In normal times, indoor air pollution can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor pollution. There are new factors, related to the pandemic, that may be making indoor air pollution levels even higher and our exposure greater.

Most of us are spending more time than ever indoors.
As disinfecting is an important defense against the virus, people may be using products with more toxic ingredients than they would normally use.
We are cooking more meals at home which creates harmful fumes and particles that need to be properly ventilated.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to improve your air quality and keep yourself well.

Open your windows, often.
Outdoor air pollution levels have improved dramatically in China as a result of restricted activities indicating that air in the U.S. may also be improving. Opening your windows will let the cleaner air in.
Keep the house clean.
Household dust is full of toxic chemicals as well as allergens and other harmful particles. Pick up dust with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Use proper ventilation when cooking.
Cooking is a major source of poor indoor air quality. Proper ventilation is critical, particularly if you are cooking with gas. If you don’t have a range hood that vents to the outside, open your windows while cooking. If your range hood doesn’t extend over your front burners, make sure to cook on your back burners. Also, clean up any food particles on the burners because as they burn, they can release toxic by-products into the air.
Change your filters.
If your air filter from your HVAC system is clogged it can recirculate dust, mold and particles back into your air.
Invest in an Air Purifier.
Check out The Portable Air Purifier Buying Guide for recommended air purifiers.