2020 has brought many twists and turns. With all the changes we have seen, most of us are spending more time in our homes. Some of us have found that our health has diminished with more time at home.
Did you know your home gives you 2-5x more air pollution than outdoor air?
The way homes are built these days they have much tighter seals and pollution is trapped in your home. It is important to find the source of air pollutants in your home and get rid of it with a quality air purifier and lifestyle changes.
The fastest way to consolidate toxins in your body is through breathing in air pollution. Let’s dive in and see what you need to do to keep your home safe for you and your family.
So, what are the common pollutants and how do we achieve clean and healthy air in our homes?
Common pollutants causing poor air quality in your home:
1. Microbial pathogens including Mold/Mildew, Viruses and Bacteria – any natural fibers like particle board, wood, dry wall, and paper are all sources that feed mold. Overtime a small patch of mold can cause major health issues by releasing thousands of mycotoxins that travel all over your home. Mycotoxins, viruses and bacteria can live in your HVAC system and destroy your health one day at a time. Hint: A good air purifier can remove 95% of the virus from the air. These units are invaluable during the cold and flu season and COVID19!
(To learn more about Mold Illness and Mycotoxins, check out our 3 Part Blog Series: Part 1: All About Toxic Mold Illness, Part 2: Mycotoxin Health Effects and How to Test for Mold, & Part 3: Treating Mold Illness.)
2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)– These toxic compounds are a major source of pollution in your home. These are found in your furniture, paint, cleaning supplies, aerosol sprays, dry cleaning, air fresheners, wood treatments, and candles.
3. Dust – House dust is very irritating to your lungs and can accumulate quickly in your home.
4. Allergens – Pet dander, dust mites, and pollen settles in the dust and carpet of your home.
5. Tobacco Vape or Marijuana Smoke– This adds to particulate and air pollution of your homes.
6. Diesel Exhaust – Attached garages introduce diesel and other exhaust fumes into your home polluting the air.
7. Formaldehyde – This chemical is a product of off gassing that can happen with wood products (hardwood plywood, particleboard and fiberboard), building materials and insulation, glues, permanent press fabrics, paints, coatings, lacquers and finishes, paper products, dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners, and fertilizers and pesticides.
8. Flame Retardants – These are found in furniture foams, carpet, curtains, paints, food packaging, home insulation, appliances, toys, electronics, car seats, and many baby products.
9. Radon– Check your levels in your home to insure you have the right amount of ventilation to keep radon at a low level in your home.
10. Carbon Monoxide and Natural Gas– Leaks in your furnace, kerosene heaters, wood burning stoves and fireplaces, gas ranges, generators, appliances fueled by gasoline, gas fueled space heaters, cigarette smoke can all create levels of carbon monoxide in your home.
11. Solvents– Home cleaning supplies and detergents are common solvents that are impacting your health.
12. Particulate from fireplaces, wood stoves and outdoor contamination from highways near your home.
13. Herbicides and Pesticides – these are acquired from parks and landscaping and brought into your home on your feet.
When we are exposed to air pollution we have 2 rules:
1. Remove Toxin Exposure
2. Clean the Air
What can you do to prevent air pollution in your home?
1. Use a quality air purifier. I recommend an Austin Air Purifier because:
– Their HEPA technology and HEGA carbon cloth offers the highest quality air purifying system to remove and destroy airborne viruses (like the flu & COVID19), particulate, allergens, formaldehyde, VOCs, and other airborne pollution.
– This is an American company that manufactures all machines in the USA.
– These are the machines used by FEMA and American Red Cross for remediation after natural disasters.
*Contact our office for 12-15% off your purchase of an Austin Air Purification System!*
>> Click here to learn more about the systems and access exclusive pricing. <<
2. Take your shoes off when you enter the house. This will limit the amount of herbicides/pesticides and other toxins you track into your home on your shoes.
3. Do not run your vehicles (cars, trucks, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, etc.) in your garage.
4. Get proper ventilation in your home and above your cooktop.
5. Use low VOC paint.
6. Avoid dry cleaning your clothes.
7. Try to buy solid wood furniture and fixtures.
8. Buy organic furniture and mattresses for your home.
9. Reduce moisture in your home and have all areas of water damage remediated beyond surface appearance.
10. Avoid teflon, plastic and other toxic cook ware in your kitchen.
11. Avoid using oils that burn easily (canola, peanut, sesame, corn, and olive). These oils can create toxic smoke when cooking with them.
12. Have your HVAC system cleaned every 5 years.
13. Use natural cleaning supplies to reduce toxic exposure.
14. Avoid dryer sheets unless they are made of natural products.
15. Avoid synthetic air fresheners and buy products that have natural fragrance.
16. Ventilate your stovetop and keep a close eye on your furnace and gas fireplaces for natural gas leaks.
17. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Having clean air is essential to your health. I am happy to offer you a discount on the highest quality air purification system. Let us know if you would like to order a unit for your home or office to reduce air pollution and lower your viral load exposure. We are here to help and answer any questions you have about how to keep your family healthy and happy.
With Love, The Pratt Clinics