Indoor Pollutants

How Can I Reduce Exposure to Indoor Pollutants?

You can reduce your exposure to contaminants in several ways:

Install and use exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms. Vent clothes dryer air to the outdoors.

Buy a high-quality doormat. Wiping your shoes will greatly reduce the particles and dust you track into your home. Keep outside shoes outside or take your shoes off before coming inside.

Use a dehumidifier to keep relative humidity levels below 50 percent. Use a humidifier to keep humidity levels from getting below 30 percent.

Thoroughly clean and dry water-damaged carpets and building materials (within 24 hours if possible) or consider removal and replacement.

Correct water leak problems promptly.

Dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning and washing bed linen weekly in hot water.

Allow bed linen to dry completely before making the bed.

Use a high-quality vacuum cleaner, such as one with a dirt detector or HEPA filter, or use a central vacuum system.

Wash your children’s hair before bedtime to keep outside dusts and pollutants off the pillow and away from their nose.

Change pillowcases often.

Ventilate the attic with gravity vents (non-powered) to prevent moisture buildup. Install sealed vapor barrier in crawl space.

Take steps to minimize biological pollutants in basements. Regularly clean and disinfect any basement floor drain.

Maintain and clean all appliances that come in contact with water. Have a professional inspect and clean appliances, such as furnaces, heat pumps, central and wall air-conditioning units, and furnace-attached humidifiers.

Use pleated high-efficiency furnace filters. Change the filters frequently according to the manufacturer's directions.

Reduce or eliminate the use of oil based air fresheners and scented candles.

If you're concerned about chemical gases, use paints or varnishes that have low or no volatile organic compounds. Use less toxic cleaning supplies.

Use an exhaust fan in a bathroom for several minutes after a shower. Use an exhaust fan when cooking. Make sure the fans are vented to the exterior.

Keep all cleaning supplies in airtight containers outside in a ventilated storage area.

Keep trees and shrubs three feet or more away from the foundation perimeter.

Don’t permit smoking in the house.