Air Guide

Indoor Air Quality Matters

Since air is invisible, we often have a hard time assessing the quality of our air, both in where it is coming from and what is actually in it. In fact, the air we breathe can often be just as responsible as food or water toxin exposure for symptoms/issues like weight gain, fatigue, inflammation, hormone imbalances.

When you hear the word “air quality” our mind usually goes to EXTERNAL air and how to decrease pollution coming from outdoor sources- but have you considered what could be going on with INTERNAL air quality in your home, your office or anywhere else you spend a majority of your time? 

Indoor is Worse than Outdoor

Similar to water, the regulation here is what is lacking. The EPA monitors OUTDOOR air pollution sources like factories, emissions, etc. but there is no “clear air act” for INDOOR pollution hence why you’ve probably never thought about it before.

The average American spends 90% of their time indoors.

In very hot or cold climates, this percentage is even higher.

One study found that regularly using household cleaning products could be as bad for you as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years.

Common household products like cleaners, perfumes, etc. rival the amount of VOCs produced by motor vehicle emissions.

Energy Efficiency Issues

Back in the 1900s, homes were designed primarily to diffuse body odor (aka this meant a lot of air ventilation) and building materials were all solid wood so VOC exposure from chemicals used in building wasn’t an issue.

In the 1980s energy efficiency became popular and that translated to sealing cracks, windows, and doors, over-using insulation, etc. This may have saved us a few dollars on our energy bill, but really impacted the air quality of our homes for the worse.

What's In Your Air?

Most people may not even realize there ARE things in our air aside from dust, but here is a list of just some of the issues found in our indoor air. This ranges based on where you live, how old your furniture is, how often you open up windows/doors, the humidity of your home, products you use, etc.

How do they get there? Most chemicals used in products aren’t bound tightly to the product, so they end up being in a constant state of falling off or shedding. Generally they end up in the air we breathe and in dust. 

What is in Your Air?

VOCs, flame retardants, pesticides and herbicides

Endocrine disruptors from cleaning, personal care, and other scented products

Off-gassing of building materials and furniture

Mold, mycotoxins, bacteria, endotoxins, actinomyces

Pet dander and pollen

Heavy metals, radon, and asbestos

Where Does it Come From?

Much is coming from off-gassing of chemicals from the products we buy. Most chemicals used in products are not bound tightly, so they end up being in a constant state of falling off or shedding – even for years after initial purchase.

One big one is flame retardants which were found in 100% of dust samples of men from infertility clinics.

One study found 156 different VOCs emitted from only 37 household cleaners and personal care products. Of the 156 VOCs found, 42 are classified as toxic or hazardous under US Federal laws.

Tips for Improving Air Quality

Outside of looking into air filtration/purification, here are some tips to begin improving your air quality today:

Open Window + Doors

The cheapest, easiest, and most effective to improve indoor air quality is opening your windows and doors as often as possible to let fresh air flow through your home and ventilate what you’re breathing.

Clean Often

A 2003 study took house dust samples from 120 homes and found 66 different chemicals in dust, and 52 chemicals in air samples; each home had an average of 20 chemicals in their dust samples.

Remove the Source

Remove the source of the air pollution. Specifically, things that have a fragrance (candles, air fresheners, plug-ins, but also personal care and cleaning products).

Candles release VOCs and phthalates, hormone-disrupting chemicals, and air fresheners/plug-ins can emit over 100 different chemicals.

No Shoes Inside

Make sure you and others remove their shoes before entering your home. This tracks in pesticides and herbicides that end up in your dust and air.

Especially if you have little ones who are on the floor often, this can be a big issue.

Get Some Plants

Certain plants have abilities to clean the air of different chemicals, paints, and VOCs. The following plants have been found to be helpful in cleaning up the air:

Spider Plants

Snake Plants

Aloe Vera

Peace Lilies

Bamboo Plant

Chrysanthemums

English Ivy

Weeping Fig

Budget for Replacements

Below are things that could be contributing to air quality issues, but these aren’t usually things you can swap out overnight.

When you do plan to replace these items or when looking to a new home purchase, keep these items and cleaner alternative in the back of your mind.

Mattresses made before 2007 or still made with flame retardants

Carpet in/throughout the home and it’s foam padding

Non-wood furniture made with glues/fake particle-board, etc.

Older upholstered furniture made with flame retardants in cushions

My Top Picks For Air Purifiers

AVOID UNITS WITH: Hydroxyl Technology (PCO or PECO), Ionization, UV Lights

Use code MWHH10 for 10% off

My top choice for smaller air filtration units (~500 sq ft filtration). This video shows how it out performs its competitors.

use code MWHH for 15% off

My choice for larger air filtration unit (covers up to 16oo sq ft- better choice for buying less units/filter replacements in the long run). This video compares Jaspr to other units and this one compares it to AirDoctor.

Another great option for air filtration, but their larger unit has been found to provide the best filtration compared to the smaller ones. Get on their email list as they often run sales on units and filters.

Only their Health Pro Plus or GC MultiGas units. Contain more carbon filtration for VOCs/chemicals.

Another great option with both HEPA + carbon filtration.

Only whole home option that I’d consider  (attaches to furnace).

My Top Picks For Home + Car Filters

Ideally get a MERV 13 or higher which stands for minimum efficiency reporting value and ranks the effectiveness of air filters based on numbers. This means the filter removes 90% of particles from 1-3 microns in size.

NOTE: Check what your system can take as not all systems can handle MERV 13+ filters without reducing system airflow

Sell MERV 13 filters for your furnace filter

Another great option that sells both home furnace and car cabin filters (HEPA)

Disclaimer

The information presented on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.

Affiliate Disclosure: Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and other affiliate sites on which the owner of this website may make a referral commission.

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