 |
Canadians, on average, spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, so it's extremely important to keep the air clean in our home. With the growing number of synthetic materials used in homes, allergies, respiratory ailments and environmental sensitivities are on the rise.
Homes contain many substances that may be harmful to our health. Indoor air pollutants range from minor irritants, such as dust and animal dander, to major irritants, such as molds and chemical vapours, which may be emitted from building materials and furnishings.
According to the Canadian Lung Association, one in five Canadians has some form of lung disease such as asthma, emphysema or lung cancer. If we include people with allergies and environmental sensitivities, up to a third of Canadians may be affected by contaminants.
Before you bring any new item or material into your home, take the time to assess if it will have any impact on your air quality.
While normal activities in your kitchen produce water vapour and odours, installing an efficient range hood, vented to the exterior can help minimize the effects on air quality. When shopping for a range hood, look for a low-noise, energy-efficient product.
Look for ways to keep the dust in your home to a minimum. Area rugs are preferable where dust allergies or asthma are a concern because they can be removed for proper cleaning. Also, try to avoid wallpaper, textured finishes and fibrous materials as they tend to add to dust build up. Natural-fibre fabrics are a better choice for soft furnishings as well as for carpeting and under padding.
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, call 1-800-668-2642 for the name of a trained investigator in your area or visit www.cmhc.ca.
CLEANING UP
- Some practical tips to improve your home's indoor air quality include:
- Stop smoking inside your house.
- Avoid using pesticides.
- Protect your home from carbon monoxide.
- Perform maintenance on your furnace regularly.
- Reduce moisture and mold in the home by repairing roof and foundation cracks.
- Grade soil to allow water to flow away from the house.
- Dehumidify the basement.
- Reduce the amount of stored hazardous materials in the house.
- Choose building and renovating materials with low levels of chemical emissions.
- Minimize the use of harsh chemical cleaners and deodorizers.
- Use unscented cleaning compounds.