MISSION,
Kan., Oct. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- (Family
Features) The COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way people
spend time in their homes. From work to working out, more
out-of-the-house activities have moved to the home.
In fact, according to the 2021 American Time Use Survey,
38% of employed people did some or all of their work from home.
That means better indoor air quality at home is as important as
ever.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air
quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air quality.
With the average person taking about 22,000 breaths per day,
installing smarter indoor air quality technology is key to
healthier living year-round.
Improving your home's air quality begins with recognizing what
contributes to poor indoor air quality, the potentially harmful
effects and how to address these problems.
Off-gassing
Off-gassing from construction materials, carpeting, adhesives
and synthetic materials, as well as solvents from common household
cleaners, can accumulate in even well-constructed homes. Continuous
ventilation solutions can help reduce the harmful effects of
off-gassing, such as headaches, nausea and irritation in your eyes,
nose and throat.
Simple smart ventilation fans and good ventilation can help
control off-gassing in your home. Other options for reducing the
impact of off-gassing include shopping for products designed for
low or no volatile organic compound emission and adding houseplants
that naturally help filter and purify the air, though houseplants
only offer a small amount of help.
Moisture
Moisture that is not properly ventilated can cause mildew and
mold formation, which can potentially lead to structural problems
and health issues. For most homes, the optimal humidity balance is
40-60%, but those levels can be hard to maintain in high-humidity
spaces like bathrooms.
Antimicrobial light technology combined with powerful
ventilation offers effective protection against bacteria, mold and
fungi growth in your home. An option like the Broan SurfaceShield
LED Exhaust Fan kills viruses and prevents mold, bacteria and fungi
growth on surfaces in your bathroom or other humidity-prone
environments. Featuring two lighting modes, an everyday white light
perfect for task lighting and a continuous antimicrobial mode, the
cover is also designed to stay cleaner longer with less louvers in
which dust and dirt can get trapped.
Cooking effluents
Cooking effluents from food preparation can infiltrate the whole
house in minutes. Grease, oils and aromas settle permanently into
carpet, furniture, clothing and other surfaces. Kitchen ventilation
solutions can help eliminate cooking effluents for a cleaner, more
comfortable and healthier environment.
For example, the Broan Elite 21-Inch Custom Range Hood Power
Pack offers a custom appearance while protecting cabinetry with
stainless steel liners. Bright LED lighting enhances your cooking
experience while the four-speed, back-lit, soft touch control and
WiFi connectivity enabling voice control makes operating the hood
easy. Automatic infrared sensing allows your range hood to adjust
the speed of your fan based on your cooking style.
Pollutants
Stemming from sources like space heaters, gas stoves,
woodstoves, indoor furnaces, dryers and fireplaces, combustion
pollutants are gases or particles that come from burning materials.
Examples include carbon monoxide – causing headaches, dizziness,
disorientation, nausea and fatigue – and nitrogen dioxide – causing
eye, nose and throat irritation; impaired lung function; and
increased respiratory infections.
When possible use appliances that vent to the outside, ventilate
rooms where fuel-burning appliances are in use and ensure these
appliances are properly installed, used, adjusted and
maintained.
Explore more ideas for improving air quality in your home at
broan-nutone.com.
Common Household Air Offenders
Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants
found in homes, schools and offices may help improve your indoor
air and reduce your family's risk of health concerns related to
indoor air quality.
Radon, a radioactive gas that forms in soil, enters your home by
seeping through cracks and gaps in floors and walls touching the
ground.
Secondhand smoke comes from burning tobacco products.
Combustion pollutants are created when certain materials are
burned in appliances that are poorly vented, such as space heaters,
stoves, water heaters, dryers and fireplaces. Common examples are
carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which are both colorless,
odorless gasses that can be difficult to identify.
Volatile organic compounds can be found in numerous household
products like paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning
supplies, varnishes and waxes, pesticides, building materials and
furnishings, office equipment, moth repellents, air fresheners and
dry-cleaned clothing.
Asthma triggers vary depending on the person and what causes
their asthma to flare, but common examples include mold, dust
mites, secondhand smoke and pet dander, as well as certain foods
and air pollutants.
Molds are living organisms that produce spores, which transfer
through the air before resting on damp surfaces and growing.
Michael French
mfrench@familyfeatures.com
1-888-824-3337
editors.familyfeatures.com
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