Stop Pollution Indoors

By Ruth Travis

EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times — occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.

The following are ten suggestions you can make for immediate improvement of indoor environmental quality:

1.Keep walkway and entries clean

Start by keeping outside sidewalks, entry areas, porches and steps clean. Sweep, dust, vacuum or use a leaf blower to remove soil and debris from outside entryways to eliminate tracking into the home.

2.Use Mats to Trap Soil at Entries

Outside and interior mats to trap and contain particles and moisture should be placed at each entry. This not only extends the life of carpet, it greatly reduces the quantity of particles that enter and build up within traffic areas, eventually becoming airborne.

3.Clean Shoes at Entries

Studies conducted by professional engineers on carpet dust samples indicate that fine particles containing lead are reduced by cleaning or removing and leaving shoes at the entry.

4.Purchase and Use High Quality Vacuum Equipment

A quality, durable upright vacuum with brush agitation is a must. Price is not as important as quality here. Check trade or consumer magazines and expect sales persons to provide technically accurate information. Avoid door-to-door sales tactics. Also check the Carpet and Rug Institute’s list of vacuums that have passed the Green Label Program at: Carpet & Rug Institute "Green Label" Testing Program.

5.Use a High-Efficiency Vacuum Filter Bag

The use of high-efficiency double-lined vacuum filter bags (micro filters) in configurations that filter out 99% of particles down to one micron or less in size is highly recommended. Avoid cheap paper filter bags that remove only larger particles and let the fine dust pass into the air.

 Small particles that pass easily through paper filter bags are a major source of respiratory irritation, as well as household dust.

6.Vacuum Frequency

Increase the frequency of vacuuming before soils sift downward and become embedded in the carpet pile. Vacuuming should be done more slowly in entry areas where most particle soils accumulate. Traffic areas should be slowly passed over two or three times. Periodic use of vacuum unit attachments or a canister vacuum to remove accumulated soils from entries and along baseboards is also recommended.

7.HVAC Filters

Use quality reusable electrostatic filters for HVAC systems. These filters have acrylic rods that vibrate and create a static electricity that charges soil particles, thereby attracting them to the filter. These filters should be removed and flushed free of collected soils on a monthly basis.

8.Have the Carpet Cleaned

Professional cleaning compounds lift and suspend fine particles of soil. Then, careful extraction using hot water flushes them from carpet fibers.

9.Clean Other Soft Surfaces

Clean upholstery, drapery, bedding and other fabric surfaces; wash linens weekly. The objective of professional cleaning is to remove the maximum amount of soil (anything foreign to the construction of the fiber) with the least damage to the fiber.

10.Control moisture and humidity

Dust mites and mold are the two most common allergens present in higher humidity climates. Maintain a relative humidity below 50 percent to help control dust mite infestation in your home.

Molds, which are classified as fungi, require humidity of 70 percent or higher and a food source of organic-based material to grow. Cooler surfaces, which may have a relative humidity near 100%, create a perfect breeding area for mold.

Ten steps to a cleaner, safer environment — a small investment for such a big return in indoor environmental quality.