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Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

Reprinted with permission by Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC).  CHEC is a national nonprofit organization working to educate parents and others about preventable health and environmental problems caused by exposure to toxic substances.  

LEAVE POLLUTANTS AT THE DOOR

• Wipe your feet on a doormat or remove your shoes at the door.
• Reduce dust and dirt on your floors.
• Vacuum at least twice a week using a HEPA filter, and/or mop floors.
• Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with washable area rugs.

BREATH CLEAN AIR

• Make your home a no-smoking zone.
• Ventilate your home often: Open your windows to let polluted air out and let clean air in.
• Check the air in your home: Test for radon and install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

KEEP HUMIDITY LOW IN YOUR HOME

• Repair leaky plumbing and seal cracks in basement floors and walls.
• Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan when showering.
• Place dehumidifiers or air conditioners in damp rooms. Clean and/or replace filters regularly.
• Maintain the humidity level between 30-60%, using a moisture detector (hygrometer).

FRESHEN ROOMS NATURALLY

• Clear pollutants from the air with potted plants and cut flowers.
• Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet to absorb odors before vacuuming.
• Use natural herbs and essential oils instead of scented candles or air fresheners.

AVOID PRODUCTS WITH STRONG FUMES AND TOXIC INGREDIENTS

• Avoid all pesticides and chemical fertilizers in and around your home.
• Use non-toxic, mild, or least-toxic household cleaners.
• Stop using aerosol sprays, which can pollute the air with toxic solvents.
• Limit exposure to formaldehyde and other VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
• Ventilate, especially when you renovate.
• Use low or no-VOC paints and sealants.
• Avoid buying urea-formaldehyde (UF) pressed wood products (subfloors, doors, cabinets, etc.)
• Wash new clothing, bedding and draperies twice prior to use.
• Avoid permanent press fabrics and stain repellant sprays.
• Hang dry-cleaned clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area before bringing them inside.

LIMIT INDOOR BURNING OF FUEL AND WOOD

• Burn only hardwoods, not pine or pressed wood logs.Do not burn printed paper or particleboard.
• Clean the flue and chimney annually.
• Buy/use wood stoves certified after 1992. They emit less pollutants than older ones.
• Choose electric stove/oven over gas.
• Open a window or turn on the exhaust fan when using a gas stove.
• Avoid kerosene and gas space heaters.

For more information, visit CHEC at checnet.org.