Indoor Air Toxicity & How To Fix It

Introduction

With the evolution of modern technology, more and more people spend most of their time indoors. And more and more people get less fresh air. The problem with this is that the quality of indoor air is very poor, and in fact full of harmful toxins. These toxins contribute to issues with almost every bodily function & organ. Cancer, headaches, shortness of breath. Researchers found that indoor air was x5 as toxic as outdoor air. When you exhale CO2 and spray fragrances all day long without fresh air coming in, it’s no surprise. Studies are linking poor air quality with decline in overall health, intelligence, ability to focus, and physical ability. Arnold Schwarzenegger recommended and personally trained outdoors during his prime because fresh air was superior to indoor air. In this day and age, it is imperative to optimize not only yourself but your environment as well.

Signs of Poor Air Quality

Signs of poor air quality are pretty much everything you don’t want to be feeling. Do you feel much better and open when you walk outside for some fresh air? Signs & symptoms of poor indoor air include:

• Dryness of eyes, skin, mouth, and nose
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Brain Fog
• Shortness of Breath
• Insomnia
• Allergies
• Skin Irritation
• Blocked Sinuses
• Nausea
• Coughing & Sneezing
• Poor Immune Function & Common Colds

Benefits of Better Air Quality

Considering air is the most essential resource for human life, it’s logical that it influences almost every bodily function, be it positively or negatively. Even Mensa states it is an advantage to take their tests in a room with an open breeze. With that in mind, benefits include:

• Longer Life-Span
• Slowed Aging
• Reduced Stress
• Increased Physical Performance
• Improved Memory
• Improved Focus
• Improved learning
• Better Sleep
• Better Overall Mood
• Improved Immune System
• More Energy
• Improved Nasal Capabilities and Sense of Smell & Taste

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality

1. GET HOUSEPLANTS

You already know this one. Plants filter out toxins in the air and recycle carbon dioxide into clean oxygen. This is by far the most effective option, allowing for a constant supply of detoxification and fresh air. The best spots are the living room, hallways, office, and bedroom. Be sure to have one in your bedroom, as this is where you spend a lot of time and fresh air while you sleep is incredibly beneficial. Snake plants are a very good choice as they are easy to maintain, cheap, and increase their air cycling at night when it is so important. They also look good and are a staple of interior decorators.

2. GET A BETTER VACUUM

Vacuuming is essential for air quality and a clean house, but most vacuums are not effective. Does it smell funny after/while you vacuum? That’s actually all the dirt, air, hair, and bacteria being shot up into the air by your vacuum. Investing in a quality vacuum will be very beneficial and should last you several years.

3. OPEN SOME WINDOWS

Despite this universal advice, people don’t do it enough. Opening a window allows for fresh air to come in and cycle out the poor air.

4. VACUUM REGULARLY

Dust, bacteria, dirt, and grime build up over time everywhere in your house so it’s important get rid of it. Most of you likely have a pet as well, shedding hair constantly and causing allergies. Vacuuming gets rid of these irritants and bacteria, improving the air quality while also helping you breathe better. This is very important for people with Asthma.

5. BRUSH AND WASH YOUR PET

As previously stated, pets shed hair constantly which causes/worsens allergies and bacteria. We can help mitigate this by washing them and using a pet brush. Bathing them will obviously clean them and wash away some dead fur. Brushing them outside its very useful. You’d be surprised by the amount of dead fur on your dog. Simply get a hair brush/remover and peacefully brush them outside.

6. AVOID CHEMICAL SPRAYS

Chemical sprays have been a topic of controversy for quite some time, yet people still use them. Chemical cleaners and fragrances are made of toxic chemicals which are released into the air and inhaled, easily being absorbed by the body & lungs. Use a natural cleaning product and avoid fragrance smells entirely.

7. OPEN A WINDOW WHEN COOKING AND BUY A RANGE HOOD

When you cook, you put off harmful chemicals into the air. When you burn something, boil oil, or even cook a roast beef in the oven, smoke is emitted. This gives off harmful particles and reduces the ph level of the air, the real reason we breathe it. The body actually needs to breathe in order to keep the itself at an alkaline ph, cycling out carbon dioxide (acidic ph) with oxygen (alkaline ph). In fact, the common misconception that meat causes cancer was actually from a study that found the smoke from burning fats (carbon) caused cancer. You know that stuffy feeling after burning something in the oven? So be sure to open a window while you cook or purchase a Range Hood, the metal fan that hangs above a stove.

8. CHECK FOR MOLD & GET A BATHROOM AIR CONDITIONER

Mold can easily infest a house without ever being noticed, especially older ones. Gunk on your bathroom walls can be mold caused from the moisture of steam from hot showers. Mold usually grows behind the dry wall which is hard to access. Be sure to check windows you don’t use as black mold can grow there from condensation. I recommend everyone hire a mold specialist to make sure there isn’t any in your house. You can prevent mold and structural damage by getting an air conditioner in your bathrooms to take the moisture out of the air after a hot shower.

9. DUST REGULARLY

Just like vacuuming, dusting gets rid of dust and irritants on your house’s surfaces. People too often forget to dust as much as they vacuum however. This is problematic because these irritants are up high and on surfaces you use, meaning you inhale them much more. Dust once a week when you vacuum and pick up a good ostrich feather duster to add some class & status to your life.

10. WASH YOUR FURNITURE COVERS EVERY 2 WEEKS

Just like the floor, dust and bacteria build up in your furniture. Washing them every 2 weeks helps prevent and clear this build up. This will also help with any skin conditions you have caused from bacteria and irritations like acne.

11. CONSIDER AN AIR PURIFIER

This is specifically for those living in urban settings, whom would not have access to much high quality air. It is perfect for apartments and high-rises. These are costly, running $500+ however the impact on your overall health and well-being is more than worth it. If you have a larger apartment or home, put it in your office or bedroom so that you’ll receive the most benefit.

12. AVOID USING HEATERS TOO OFTEN & CLEAN THEM REGULARLY

Heaters give off harmful fumes when used along with burning all the dust and hair trapped in their. Their coatings also give off toxic fumes from all the chemicals in it, especially ones with plastic shells. Of course, we still require them to function in our houses so it’s important to clean them regularly to prevent the build of fuzz and hair that will burn, putting out harmful toxins.

13. DON’T BURN CANDLES, ESPECIALLY SCENTED ONES

Candles give off fumes that pollute the air, especially scented ones. Just like chemical sprays, scented candles contain toxin chemicals that make them smell good. These cause allergies, irritation, headaches, and brain fog. If you still want to use candles, switch to an all natural beeswax candles, they are rather beautiful and free of the more harmful chemicals.

14. USE AN AIR HUMIDIFIER

Part of the reason nasal breathing is so much more beneficial than mouth breathing is that the nostrils & sinuses hydrate the otherwise dry air. Just like your mouth gets dry from breathing, your lungs and throat can have the same effect. This is why it is important to keep your air hydrated, especially in the cold dry winter months. This will also benefit your skin, keeping it hydrated and helping with aging.

15. BREATH THROUGH YOU NOSE

Although this won’t improve indoor air quality, it will mitigate the effects of it. We were designed to breathe through our nose because it conditions air to properly suit our body. The nostrils & sinuses hydrate, warm, and filter air. Our body is full of liquid and dry air dries it out. We are also a warm blooded, which doesn’t mix well with cold air. We are also very vulnerable to air pollutants like hair and fuzz. The Nostril hairs catch all foreign bodies in the air and the sinuses warm & hydrate it.