What's the State of Your Air?

Filed in archive Lung Conditions on April 29, 2009

The American Lung Association (ALA) has just released the State of the Air 2009 report card on air quality, ranking cities most affected by outdoor air pollution. Click here to see where your city ranks in outdoor particle pollution.

While improving outdoor air quality is important, indoor levels of some pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA). In fact, the EPA has identified indoor air pollution as one of the top five urgent environmental risks to public health, though a survey commissioned in December 2008 by 3M Filtrete filters, revealed that:

• Three out of four homeowners believe the air outside their home is more polluted than the air inside their home.


• More than 50 percent of homeowners are not concerned about indoor air pollution; however, nearly two-thirds (65 percent) are concerned about outdoor air pollution.

Below are the tips from Neil Schachter, M.D., Medical Director of the Respiratory Care Department of the Mount Sinai Medical Center and past president of the American Lung Association of the City of New York, on simple changes to help improve your indoor air quality and make your home a healthier place to live:

1. Avoid cleaning products with ammonia and chlorine -Some household chemicals may be irritants to the respiratory tract in people who are sensitive to these chemicals. They can cause watery eyes and sore throats and even can trigger coughing and shortness of breath. Choose milder yet effective cleaning aids like those that use baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and citrus oils.

2. Houseplants...a clean air ally - Some 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. Vacuuming can remove some surface dirt, but often, the vacuum can actually push pollutants deeper into carpet fibers. Area rugs are best since they can be picked up and cleaned thoroughly.

4. Use high performance air filters - Use a high performance filter, like the Filtrete 1" Advanced Allergen Reduction 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. During the warm months of the year, turn up the air conditioner to help keep humidity levels lower, 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 outdoor pollutants indoors by removing your shoes before entering the home. Wearing shoes indoors can track particles that can become airborne, including animal dander, mold spores, pollen and bacteria.

Test your knowledge of other indoor air quality facts and blow away some fictions by playing Clean Air Fact or Fiction.