How to Keep Indoor Air Toxin Free
We are all stuck indoors and so -more than ever- it is important to keep the air we are breathing at home toxin free.
What we know:
The air inside our house is often more contaminated than the air outside. The sources? Cleaners, composite wood, furniture, construction materials, wires, flooring, electronics can off gassing or leech chemicals that make their way into dust.
Phthalates occurred in the highest concentrations in household dust , followed by phenols, RFRs, fragrance, and PFASs.
constant exposure to one or more of these chemical classes has been associated with adverse health effects including reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, cognitive and behavioral impairment in children, cancer, asthma, immune dysfunction, and chronic disease.
Young children are at higher risk for exposure to chemicals in indoor dust because they come into much more contact with this dust when they crawl, play on the floor, and put their hands in their mouths. Children may also be more vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals because their brains and bodies are still developing.
HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO: its pretty simple!
Vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum. While I love my Dyson large upright vacuum I recently bought a robot vacuum and, in this past week with the kids at home all day, this has become the most used item in my home. Press one button and let the robot do the work.
Change your HVAC air filters: This should be done - at a minimun- every 6 months. These air filters trap dust, debris and small particles in order to prevent these pollutants from circulating into the air which can potentially land up in the lungs. Look for a high MERV ratings of f 9 to 14
Air Purifier: A high quality room air purifier, while an investment, will bring you truly clean air for years. Not all air purifiers are created equal. I have my favorites in my Amazon Shop and include Austin Air, IQ Air and BlueAir
Cleaning towels/rags: When cleaning dust from furniture, nooks and walls your will need a damp rag and not a duster (dusters just spread the dust everywhere. a damp rag grabs the dust particles). You can buy rags or make your own with old t shirts. I personally love our kitchen cleaning towels (we have 2 models these and these) because I barely need to buy paper towel anymore since I use these towels instead.
Steam Mop: because most dust settles not the floor, a steam mop is a great way to clean your floor without resorting to chemicals. Alternatively , use a damp mop and - depending on your flooring type- vinegar can be great to clean floors in lieu of chemical cleaners
Open your windows: I say this a lot, but allowing toxins out and fresh air in is very important and so easy: open this windows when weather permits.
Wash your Hands: Yes it is also the best way to make sure your kids are not ingesting contaminated dust. Use plain soap and water!
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