The Air We Breathe at Home

The concept of Indoor Air Quality is a fairly new phenomena to most people today. Most of us have taken the clean air we breathe as a given. In our lives now, we have to be concerned with Clean Air at home. It affects our lives in many ways due to the condition of the homes that we live in.

There can be a multitude of different contaminants in the air we breathe at home. During testing in the last 10 years, we have found ozone, formaldehyde, natural gas, carbon monoxide and VOC's or Volatile Organic Chemicals. That is a real chemical and polluting mixture in some of our homes. On top of this we are not even counting the amount of mold in our homes due to hidden moisture problems. It basically tells us that we need to be very aware of our environment. I always recommend that all homes need to be evaluated on a regular basis for a complete home checkup with a competent Indoor Air Quality Professional with credentials.

Formaldehyde can be found in particle board furniture. It might cost less initially but the long term consequences on our health is not in yet. If you are replacing any of your Kitchen or Bathroom cabinets, try to get them to use real wood, you will be happy and healthier in the long run.

I once tested a couch that was making my client sick every time she sat on it. She was having neurological symptoms. The test results were startling to find Freon 113 in the air. Freon 113 (also called CFC-113) is a colorless, nonflammable liquid and is used by foam manufacturers as a blowing agent in the foam production for the couch. Companies also use freon 113 to make high temperature lubricants and fluorocarbon resins. It is no longer used in A/C Systems or refrigerators but still used in the foam business. For more information on see EPA 749-F-94-012.

Ozone can also be a problem for certain individuals with Respiratory or Auto Immune Compromised problems such as Asthma. Ozone can be found in certain types of Air Cleaners and should be avoided. We do not recommend any form of Ozone in the Indoor Air of your home due to this fact.

Do yourself a favor, research before purchasing any type of Air Cleaner. We only recommend HEPA Rated with a Carbon or Carbon Zeolite Filter. This is a good all around Air Cleaner. Don't listen to the sales person, most of them know less than you do about Air Cleaners. I personally use the Austin Air Filter with Carbon/Zeolite media in the filter. As always, check with your Doctor to see what they recommend.

In conclusion, the air we breathe is important. The quality can be determined by what we put or use in our homes. Do not just accept things because they are on the supermarket shelf. Read the labels carefully. Just because it is advertised on TV does not make it safe for everyone. If you have an odor in your home, it means there is a source or a problem somewhere. Don't just spray a fragrance to cover up the odor. Find the source and take care of it, you will be healthier in the long run.

Mr. Art Emiss is available as a professional speaker to help educate your community or group function.

by Artemiss - October 13, 2008

Back to Top

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Art_Emiss