How to Check Air Quality
Breathing clean air is essential to living a healthy lifestyle. Air pollution causes many serious effects to our bodies, like asthma, pneumonia and influenza. Though you can’t control the air you breathe outside, you can do so at home. Check your air quality and make sure your home is free from harmful elements. Here are some suggestions you can do to check air quality at home.
Steps:
Air screening test kits. There are different test kits available on the market. Make sure to read the kits first before deciding on what to buy. Instructions come with the test kit. Follow these instructions carefully to get accurate results. These data will be compared to air quality standards that also come with the kit.
Continuous air monitoring. You can only use a test kit once. If you like to continually monitor your home, get this device. This is designed to monitor air at a regular basis and will alert you if there is an increase in the level of certain chemicals such as carbon dioxide or monoxide.
Radon monitor. This is designed to check radon levels frequently. Radon is very harmful to the lungs. High and frequent exposure to this element will cause serious respiratory problems.
Carbon Monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas. It’s hard to determine your level of exposure to this chemical until you’ve already started experiencing health symptoms. A detector will keep you from the harmful effects of this chemical.
Facts:
Health problems commonly experienced at home may also be a sign of poor air quality. If you constantly experience respiratory problems, you might want to consider checking your air quality. Of course, you have to decide on this after you’ve consulted your doctor.
The most common indoor air pollutants are:
carbon monoxide
carbon dioxide
nitrogen dioxide
formaldehyde
mold
bacteria
fungus
yeast
Knowing what causes poor air quality at home will help you control these sources. Some of the causes are:
poor ventilation
dirty central air systems
dust
Tips:
If you want to control air quality at home you may do any of the following:
Change your lifestyle. Smoking indoors is also one of the causes of bad air. Try not to do this at home, or better yet, quit smoking. Don’t let other people smoke in your home.
Clean frequently. Regular cleaning will reduce dust and other particles in your home, which in turn will lessen allergens and other microorganisms that cause diseases. Be sure that there are no possible breeding places for microorganisms. A damp and warm area is a good living environment for them.
Check your central heating system. A dirty heating system causes health problems. Microorganisms thrive in a dirty environment. If these are present on your heating system, they will easily be circulated in your home.
Buying test kits and monitors may be a bit expensive, but you won’t have to buy them if you clean your home frequently. Be conscious of your surroundings. Check your air system regularly and always keep your home clean. These simple actions will help improve the air you breathe.