Pollution….it’s in your home!  Yep!  That is right…Pollution in your home!  It’s something most of us just don’t think about.  Sure, we think about the nastiness going on outdoors, but what about that nastiness indoors?

Dr. Neil Schachter, M.D. (past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York and author of Life and Breath) had this to say:

Many people don’t realize that their home can be a breeding ground for allergens, such as pollen, dust mite debris, mold spores and other particles that may be airborne. Other things in the air, such as chemicals from everyday household items such as furniture, carpeting, paints and cleaning products, can also contribute to poor indoor air quality. For people who are sensitive to these types of things, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue may result. A “home health check-up” combined with some simple changes can help make your home a healthier place to live.

Dr. Neal Schachter also supplied these tips:

1. Avoid cleaning products with ammonia and chlorine – Choose milder yet effective cleaning aids like those that use baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and citrus oils.
2. Houseplants…a clean air ally – Common indoor houseplants, such as bamboo plants, English ivy and peace lily, can provide a natural way to help fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution by absorbing some potentially harmful gases. A six-inch potted green plant can clean a room of excess carbon dioxide in eight hours.
3. Lay area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting – Wall-to-wall carpeting can attract and hold indoor dirt, pollen, pet hair and mold spores and many contain chemicals.
4. Use high performance air filters – Use a high performance filter, like the Filtrete 1″ Advanced Allergen Filter from 3M, to help capture particles such as pollen, smoke, dust mite debris and pet dander from the air that passes through the filter. Be sure to change your filter at the start of every season.
5. Restrict your furry friends – People who are allergic to cats and dogs are actually allergic to the dander that pets shed. To help minimize exposure to pet dander, keep pets out of the bedroom and especially off the bed.
6. Turn up the air conditioning – Air conditioners not only cool the air in your home, they can also help reduce humidity levels, which can help keep mold from growing. 
7. Turn off the humidifier – Room air humidifiers are moisture-generating sources that can spread bacteria, mold spores and chemical deposits into the air in your home. Keep relative humidity between 30% and 50% to help prevent mold growth.
8. Leave shoes outside – Avoid bringing contaminated outdoor pollutants indoors by removing your shoes before entering the home. 

3M offers a wide range of Filtrete filtration products to help clean the air and water at home.  Thanks to Mom Central I am now aware of this and so are you!  Living in an older home this is something I need to pay attention to and 3M can help me do that.

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