Is your home healthy?

five steps towards making your living environment a healthy one.

By Shayla M. Sharp

Anyone who has lived through a year in the Pacific Northwest knows that rainy weather is a regular part of life--a part that helps keep our surroundings green and grow tall trees. But, the natural environment can also add other, not-so-pleasant aspects to everyday life. Things like mold, dust, pollens and a multitude of organisms generally too small to see with the naked eye. Before you run for the hazmat suit or call up the CDC (Center for Disease Control), read up on the following five steps you can take to make your house safer and possibly lead to a healthier life.

1. Healthy breathing.

There's nothing quite like waking up, taking a deep breathe--and coughing, gasping and wheezing. If you suffer from allergies, whether it be pollen, mold or something else, the least you have is inconvenience and the worst can be a life threatening situation. Most people fall somewhere in between. We've worked so hard at making our homes and buildings more energy efficient that sometimes our environmental-friendliness backfires and ends up keeping toxins inside with us circulating through the air. Sometimes the air inside can be far worse than the air outside.

But you don't have spend life in a Benadryl-induced fog. Consider investing in an air filtration system. Systems can range from a simple table top model to a hospital-grade air purifier that will zap even the worst airborne contaminants. There are also systems that can be included with your HVAC for only a small increase in price. Do some research on the systems and filters to find the set-up that works best for your house size, budget and occupant needs.

Most filters are labeled with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating number, which measures a filter's ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns. Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-12. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is, and the more particles it can filter.

  • A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.
  • A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% to 85% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.
  • A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% to 95% minimum efficient at capturing the measured particles.

MERV is an industry standard rating, so it can be used to compare filters made by different companies. Some manufacturers also have their own rating systems. (Lowes)

2. Monitors

What you don't see can kill you. Sounds dramatic, doesn't it? Unfortunately when it comes to carbon monoxide it is true. Carbon monoxide can build up in your house without you being able to easily detect it. While beginning symptoms can include headaches, nausea and fatigue, increased levels can lead to death. The solution is simple and inexpensive--purchase a quality carbon monoxide detector and monitor your air. You can also test your house for other sickening gases such as radon (the second leading cause of lung cancer). When you discover a problem, take immediate action to correct the problem--it may be something as simple as changing the furnace filter on your HVAC system. Just like a smoke detector, you should regularly check the batteries and warning alarm to make sure the monitor is properly working. Learn how to properly operate your chimney flue for proper ventilation as well. Take the time to learn the symptoms, how to treat them, and how to prevent poisoning in the first place. One day, there may be automatic biosensors that monitor everything for us, but until that day, be proactive in monitoring your surroundings yourself.

3. Clean

Yes, it really can be as simple as regular vacuuming and dusting. Proper vacuuming can remove pet dander and hair. Dusting, well, removes the dust (that should be obvious). New products such as vacuums with filters and dust sheets that help particles kling to the cloth, instead of floating in the air, can help make the task of cleaning easier and more efficient. Just remember to have proper ventilation and, if necessary, a mask when using chemical cleaners or working on a particularly dusty or dirty area.

Wash bedding to remove dust mites and consider putting covers on mattresses and pillows to help cut down on allergens. Clean rugs, carpets and furniture regularly. If you have a shower curtain, be sure and throw that in the wash (check your manufacturer's instructions) once in awhile to remove any possible mold build-up.

If you find mold building in an area, don't ignore it--it will grow on you, literally. Wear the proper face mask to prevent breathing in spores, and use the correct cleaners (usually bleach based) to kill the surface mold. This may be enough to take care of the problem, but remember, if mold growth is extensive it may require the help of professional services to decontaminate and remove and replace damaged parts.

4. Dehumidify

While an excess of air moisture might not be an issue in a state like Arizona, here in the Northwest, moisture is in abundance. This air moisture, known as humidity, can create problems by promoting the growth of mold. Mold, in turn, can create allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Two household locations particularly susceptible to moisture problems are bathrooms and basements. An easy fix for your bathroom is to have a ventilation fan installed to help remove the excess moisture left from those steamy showers. Teach your family members to turn on the fan prior to jumping in the shower for the best results. If you're one of those people who tends to forget the fan-- manufacturers make timers that can be installed to turn the fan on and off at specific times, such as during your morning shower. Your basement problems can be solved with a dehumidifer, a device that removes the excess moisture from the air and condenses it into a holding device. Depending on the level of humidity in your basement, and the type of dehumidifier, you may need to empty the holding container as often as once a week (especially in the winter). Effective dehumidifiers are not extremely expensive, but they can save you a great deal of money by reducing the potential for mold growth. Choose a dehumidifier that is properly sized for the space it must work in.

If you do get water damage, it is important to dry the water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If the damage is extensive, it may be well worth it in the long run to rent the more powerful drying equipment (often used for drying out a flooded basement) or to hire professional restorers to make the necessary repairs immediately.

5. Keep It Out

With all the devices available today allowing us to filter air and water, remove chemicals and clean up our own homes, it is important to also remember not to bring contaminants into the house in the first place. Activities such as smoking should be done away from the home to prevent toxins in the air that will soak into walls, furniture, curtains, etc. If allergies are severe to particular types of plants, remove them from the premise. Choose pets that allow you to enjoy their company without the need for prescription medications. (Of course, keep the ones you already have!) When choosing new carpet, paint or furniture, consider choosing those low in VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). If you must use pesticides, properly ventilate and limit your exposure to them. Limit the use of aerosol products in the house--and ventilate well when they are used.

Most importantly--get outside for some fresh air!

 

 

Article first published at NWAbode.com in November 2009.

Shayla M. Sharp, a freelance writer, photographer and designer, enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest with her best pal Stars, a border collie mix. Shayla spends her free time gardening, quilting and reading, during which Stars is always by her side.