How Clean Is The Air You Are Breathing?

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How safe is the air that you breath at work, home and in your vehicle or even where you shop? Did you know that many of the products we use in our homes, at school, or in the office can contain or release chemicals into the air. In fact, many cleaners, paints, and other such products have a warning on the container, warning users that the product should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Please always make sure to read the label of the cleaners, paints, and other similar products prior to using and always follow the manufacturer's instructions. To help improve air quality, look for the following on the labels of the products you purchase: Use products that do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or that contain very low amounts of these compounds. Avoid using aerosol products or equipment such as paint sprayers whenever possible. Look for and use water based products, such as water-based paints. Ensure all products containing VOCs are stored safely in your home in airtight containers. I have asthma and allergies and I have to be very careful to keep the air in my home as clean as possible. The damp winter that we had this winter has caused some mold on my dresser in the spare bedroom. Mold and mildew can be found anywhere moisture is present. Mold is spread through the production of tiny spores, which are transported by air currents. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they usually begin growing, actually digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on foods, wood, paper, and even carpet. It is difficult to kill and it will multiply if you do not kill it. Experts advise that there is no practical way to eliminate all potential sources of mold indoors. Therefore, they recommend homeowners instead focus on controlling moisture. We are going to be purchasing a dehumidifier for our home before next winter. By controlling moisture, we can frequently also control mold growth. One way to reduce moisture is to keep indoor humidity levels at 30-60%. Products such as dehumidifiers will help control moisture levels in basements and homes located in humid climates. Also, it is very important to make sure bathroom fans and dryer vents are vented outside of the home. Many people think that the heat form the dryer will heat the home but it will only cause more problems with mold and you don’t want that. Finally, try to use your exhaust fan whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning to remove excess moisture from the air. In order to prevent mold growth, it's important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours. If mold is a problem in your home, the contaminated areas will need to be thoroughly cleaned. Mold can be washed off most hard surfaces with detergent and water, and the surface should be allowed to dry completely. Sometimes, absorbent materials that have become contaminated with mold, such as ceiling tiles or carpets, may need to be disposed of and replaced. To prevent the mold from coming back, make sure potential sources of moisture, such as leaky plumbing, are corrected as soon as possible. Some of the potential health effects associated with exposure to mold include asthma and other respiratory problems. It can cause serious medical problems for you and your family. Plants and trees are an important part of the air quality cycle, as they help purify our air and even protect our water and soil. Planting a tree is probably one of the most popular ways that people observe Earth Day. There are many different kinds of plants and trees available for planting in our communities. If you are unsure what type of plant or tree would be best, contact your County Extension Office, or local nursery to see which ones are best suited for your climate and growing conditions. We even have evergreen vines growing up the wall on our porch. The wall is made of rock from our land and the vines help to clean the air. Also trees and vines will help keep down the noise in the neighborhood. It is amazing how it blocks the noise. I know because the deer eat the leaves off in the winter and it makes a great difference till they grow back in the spring