Indoor air pollutants contaminate the air quality and are known to affect our health and well-being leading to poor productivity. Since most people prefer to spend time indoors it's essential to improve Indoor air quality at home. Ventilation Indoor air can be affected by various factors such as dust particulates, microbial contaminants and gases like radon, carbon monoxide, VOCs, etc. Adequate ventilation helps to dilute contaminants and control indoor temperatures. Outdoor air is an important factor in promoting good air quality and may enter the house in several ways including natural ventilation through doors and windows. Running an air conditioner with vent control open and installing exhaust fans also help reduce the level of pollutants and improve IAQ. Routine cleaning It is important to clean your house everyday to prevent accumulation of dust particles and other contaminants. Routine cleaning of rugs and carpets is very essential because it traps dirt and dust in their fibers which may be difficult to remove. Mopping floors and cleaning walls help remove dust from surfaces. Furniture should be cleaned weekly to avoid buildup of dust particles and soot in fire places. Bed sheets and blankets attract dust, microbes and debris which should be washed to improve air quality. Some appliances in the house can leak and cause mold to grow that affects Indoor air. In such cases it’s important to regularly clean and repair such leaks to prevent health issues. No Smoking Smoking indoors pollutes the air quality with harmful gas and causes breathing problems. Passive smoking includes gaseous and particulate substances in air which also affects people present indoors other than the active smoker. It’s necessary to eliminate smoking indoors to prevent lung disorders. Eliminate Aerosols Aerosols are used in various products like deodorants, hair sprays, cleaning solutions, etc and cause indoor air to pollute due to high levels of volatile organic gases (VOCs) present in them. It’s essential to use aerosol free products to maintain Indoor air quality. Ducts and filters Ducts and filters supply clean air. They provide hot and cold air, balancing temperatures in the room. Dirty filters and ducts can cause more pollutants to increase inside the house which may buildup molds, dust or dander. It must be replaced when necessary and should be cleaned on a regular basis. Individuals with allergic reactions will certainly benefit from this. Get indoor plants Indoor air plants are known to be natural air purifiers. They help purify air by providing fresh air and replace gas pollutants with oxygen. You can keep plants in every room to improve air quality. Palm, ferns, English ivy, etc are some common plants you can have at your home. Use cooking vents Maximum pollution is caused in the kitchen due to indoor combustion. Cooking stoves can release gases such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide and other emissions which can cause health hazards. Use cooking vents to filter the air and prevent significant health harms by reducing indoor pollutants. Control humidity Humidity levels must be controlled to avoid microbial growth in living spaces. Due to high temperatures, humidity rises which cause molds to grow and may lead to poor air quality leading to health issues like asthma. Indoor humidity is challenging when there is inadequate ventilation and factors affecting are heat from sunlight and outdoor conditions. To maintain healthy humidity levels it’s essential to monitor air quality levels and use dehumidifiers for better living. IAQ Testing Determination of IAQ involves monitoring human exposure to pollutants, sample collections of air and surfaces. Applying certain IAQ analysis in an effective way can help maintain indoor air quality. To accomplish this objective, Indoor air quality testing laboratories must be contacted. Equinox labs is an FSSAI approved and NABL accredited lab which offers excellent IAQ testing services to ensure your indoor air is free of contaminants. For more visit info: https://www.equinoxlab.com/indoor-air-quality/
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