Pollution continues to be a relevant issue even today as we turn our attention to the
indoor variety. Indoor air is now more polluted than before because of
substances such as moulds, mildews, allergens, odours, cooking oil fumes, some
building materials and furnishings, household products and pollutants from
outdoors that stay in the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide. If we want the
air inside our house to be purer, we should know what to avoid.
Volatile
components are emitted into the air from certain building materials that give
rise to allergies, eye irritation and breathing problems. These VOCs (Volatile
organic compounds) or poisonous pollutants such as formalde-hyde, benzene and
trichloromethylene are present in products that we commonly use.
When
you select paints for your house you should be aware of the facts. Paints were
earlier made from solvents based on petroleum. Paints with low VOCs are made
today by using water as a solvent. As they have reduced off fassing (emitting
of toxins) these paints lead to healthy interiors.
Before
you decide on the chouce of wooden boards you use, check the adhesive used.
Boards such as plywood, particle boards and medium density boards quite
frequently utilize formaldehyde based resins to hold hyde based resins to hold
together the wood components. When the fumes of this VOC touch the eyes, the
eyes will water.
It
is advisable not to have wall to wall carpets in homes, as they are filled with
allergens. Bacteria, mould, mildew, dust mites and animal hairs are found in
them. If you muse use them, you should have regular and thorough professional
cleaning done for them. Smaller carpets are easier to clean and so are to be
preferred. Cotton carpets are easier to clean than those of wool and synthetic
fibres.
Cotton furnishings are easier to clean and maintain considerably reducing the problem of dust allergens. Furnishings that can be washed and dried are better than
ones which can only be dry cleaned. Short term allergies can often be caused by
chemicals given off from dry cleaned articles.
Lacks
of ventilation is also a major cause for unhealthy interiors. Natural
ventilation is helped by good placement of doors and windows. Cool air usually
comes in through windows facing south and east. Cross ventilation is
facilitated by having large windows on one side of the house with smaller openings on the other side.
Mesh
screens should be used if opening doors and windows is difficult on account of
mosquitoes. Shutters or doors that are louvred help in ventilating air.
Bathrooms and kitchens should be fitted with exhaust fans and kitchens could
even have electric chimneys. For circulation of air it is good to have electric
fans. Frequent cleaning of air conditioners improves the air quality.
The
quality of indoor air becomes better through the presence of plants in the
room. Studies undertaken all over the world testify that plants act as strong
air purifiers. According to some studies, specific VOCs can be combated by certain specific plants. Spider plants, philodendron species, Boston ivy and
rubber plants are good purifiers on the whole.
The
wet top soil should not contain any moulds and water must be emptied from the
plate regularly so that mosquitoes don't breed. Leaves should be wiped or
washed regularly to keep them free of dust. Organic pesticides like neem cakes
are preferable to chemicals. If you desire to have healthy interiors try to use natural materials as furnishings and accessories in order to keep your selection'green'.
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