COURTESY OF HOOVER
Fresh air indoors
Giving your home’s indoor air a refresh can help reduce health issues
Working remotely means you might be rethinking the air quality in your home office, since poor indoor air can trigger multiple health issues. Common culprits that affect indoor air quality include mould, pollen, dust mites, second-hand smoke, pet hair and dander.
Dr. Andrew O’Keefe, an allergist with NL Allergy & Immunology in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and head of the asthma interest section of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, groups indoor triggers into two main categories: allergens (think dust mites, pet dander and mould) and irritants (anything you can smell, such as smoke or cleaning products). “Although both can cause similar symptoms and be bothersome,” he explains, “irritants don’t really have a test to show truly allergic reactivity.”
What specific health problems can poor air quality cause or worsen?
“As an allergist, I typically think of allergic diseases, such as hay fever and asthma,” says Dr. Ronald Purcell, an allergist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. But even eczema can worsen if pet dander or dust mites enter broken skin.
What can you do to freshen up your indoor environment for better health?
Make your home a smoke-free zone. “Second-hand smoke has been associated with increased upper respiratory infections, ear infections, nasal symptoms and rhinitis,” explains Purcell. “The simple thing would be to stop smoking or smoke outside.”
Keep your air-conditioning unit running efficiently. Use HEPA filters in your central air-conditioning system and change them according to the manufacturer’s instructions—typically every one to three months.
“If you want to do a heavy-duty air scrubbing, turn your central system on fan mode,” suggests Purcell. With central systems, the fan turns on when it’s actively cooling or heating your home, he says, “but if you leave the fan on, it will continually filter the air even when the central system isn’t cooling or heating the house.”
Open (and close) windows, depending on the season. O’Keefe, a Costco member, suggests opening windows to circulate fresh air and let indoor toxins out. But on high pollen days, keep windows closed to limit outdoor allergens getting into your home.
Vacuum frequently. This is especially important for carpeting, so use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Weekly vacuuming is fine, says Purcell, since too much vacuuming can kick up a lot of allergens, making symptoms worse.
Clean and protect bedding. “Get dust mite–proof covers for mattresses and pillows,” O’Keefe advises, noting you should avoid feathered bedding if you have a dust mite allergy; also, wash sheets and blankets weekly. Additionally, Purcell advises keeping pets out of bedrooms to reduce pet dander where you sleep.
Invest in a quality air purifier with a HEPA filter. Pay attention to the room size in which the purifier is designed to work best, matching the right purifier to the right-size room.
Remove shoes indoors. This will limit people tracking dirt, pesticides and other pollutants into your home.
Add live plants. According to a NASA Clean Air Study, some indoor plants (such as English ivy, heartleaf philodendron and peace lily) act as natural air purifiers by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They may also remove some pollutants in the air.
Choose fragrance-free cleaners. Added fragrances can be irritating to people with sensitivities. Switch to mild cleaners that don’t use artificial scents.
Get rid of carpets and rugs. Soft surfaces harbour allergens like dust mites, which can be especially bothersome for kids playing on the carpet and adults with dust mite allergies, says O’Keefe. “If it’s an option, replacing carpeting would be ideal,” he says.
Hardwood flooring and tile have less buildup of allergens and are a lot easier to clean. An opportune time to replace carpeting would be when you’re remodelling your home.
Consult with your health care provider about which remedy is best for you so you can start breathing freely once again.
Control humidity in your home
High indoor humidity can make it harder to breathe. Plus, dust mites and mould thrive in moist environments, and can irritate your lungs, throat, eyes, nose and skin.
How can you control the humidity in your home? “A central air conditioning system will automatically dehumidify the air,” explains Dr. Ronald Purcell, an allergist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Aim to keep the indoor humidity at around 35%. If you don’t have central air conditioning, use a dehumidifier to help reduce moisture in the air. “Once you get above 50%, dust mites will have a water source,” Purcell says. “But if you go below 35%, the air gets too dry and you’ll start having more respiratory symptoms."—LAB
Costco Connection: Vacuums, such as the one above (Item 1638459) air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air conditioners, a variety of flooring options and more are available in Costco warehouses and at Costco.ca.