There’s an important relationship between VOCs and houseplants. My personal favorite solution for reducing indoor VOC concentration is to introduce houseplants. Growing indoor plants is an excellent, inexpensive method for removing VOCs from the indoor air through a process known as phytoremediation. Studies by many scientists, including those from NASA,
Wondering which air filter to buy — or if you need one? Here’s where to start. Air-cleaning devices remove particles from the air. The easiest way to lower the concentration of particulates in your home is to vacuum and dust regularly. Air cleaners will remove suspended particulates while dusting will
Pesticides can significantly degrade indoor air quality. Many of these products are specifically designed for the indoors, including insect killer for ants, termites, bees, and other insects, and rodent killer for mice and rats. Pesticide liquids and collars may be applied to your pets. Pesticides may also be inadvertently tracked
Radon risks should be top of mind for every homeowner. If you do only one thing for your home, my hope would be that you will have your home tested for radon gas. Exposure to and inhalation of radon gas is the number-one cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. In
There are many other sources of VOCs in your home. The more you are aware of, the more you may be able to remove. These may be in your closets, laundry rooms, or bathrooms. Go around your home and sniff. If your sense of smell is functioning, you will find
It’s important to understand the relationship between exposure to mold and health. Mold is a category of plant life that includes mushrooms and other wonderful organisms that are used to make many types of food, including bread, cheeses, sausages, and some types of medicine, including penicillin. Molds and fungi are
The most common airborne pollutants associated with building material include asbestos, lead, and VOCs. Many people don’t realize that asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that exists in rock and soil. Because of its strength and its high resistance to heat, it has been used in a variety of
Black soot and other evidence of pollutants from combustible materials can provide a valuable warning. Reducing these materials is essential for our best health. In order to minimize air pollutants from other combustible material in your home, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure that your
I first discovered the hidden danger of candles after bringing home a new pet bird, a cockatoo. One of the instructions given to us, as new bird owners, was not to burn candles in the same room as the bird. I didn’t understand why burning a candle could be so
Indoor air pollution can come from many different sources. It’s important to understand how to control these risks. The most common sources for air pollution in the home include the burning of combustible materials, which creates particulates, and gaseous emanations from building materials and products brought into the home for
Stay up to date on the latest research on the dangers of electropollution, and useful tips for how to protect your family.