Household Pollution: Factors Affecting Air Quality in Your Living Space

It's not just car exhaust and factory fumes to be wary of, pollution in our own homes is a real threat.

Cleaning up can be difficult, but these cleaning tips will make it easier.

If smog is a combination of "smoke" and "fog," then you can bet you have a lot of it, if you live in a big city.

Closing your front door to the outside world can be one way to combat smog, but what if the air quality in your own home is making you sick?

In some cases, cleaning can make the situation worse.

There are many different pollutants in the indoor environment that can exacerbate asthma symptoms or respiratory allergies when breathed in. These include fire smoke, chemicals and dust particles. Mold spores, dust mites and possibly bacteria can also be harmful.

"Most often, people experience eye, nose and throat irritation when exposed to house dust, but prolonged exposure to airborne dust can lead to chronic respiratory and lung problems, and potentially an increased risk of heart disease."

REDUCING ALLERGENS IN THE HOME

As people move around their homes, many activities can resuspend dust in the home, including cleaning, dusting, walking on carpet, or simply sitting on a couch. Airborne spores can settle in your home and, with the help of moisture, develop into mold and mildew.

The impact of dust can be more severe for some people.

Environmental triggers for people with asthma or allergies can be found in carpets, furniture or flooring.

Positive tests for dust mite allergies are extremely common in people with asthma, types of dermatitis and frequent sinus infections. Studies also suggest that exposure to high levels of dust mites, especially early in life, increases the risk of developing asthma.

"Most of us probably sleep in a bed filled with dust mite droppings," he said.

"If you know you are triggered by dust and dust mites, the best approach to preventing an asthma or allergy flare-up is to reduce the amount of allergens in your home by cleaning regularly."

DUST MITES THRIVE

Just because you don't see them doesn't mean they aren't there. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets.

On average, humans shed 2 grams of skin per day. They can also get the nutrients they need from other household debris, such as fish food, mushrooms and food crumbs.

"Where we spend the most time and shed the most skin is where we are most likely to find dust mites, and we spend a third of our lives in bed. Most of us probably sleep in a bed filled with dust mite droppings."

House dust mites thrive in warm, humid and dark conditions, especially when temperatures exceed 25 degrees Celsius.

Dust mites can trigger allergies and asthma, and typically breed in mattresses and upholstery.

"This means that the places where we sweat, breathe and share body heat are perfect homes for dust mites, just as sofas, mattresses, pet beds and other soft furnishings are a breeding ground for dust mites.

cleaning

To further improve indoor air quality, Protech Allergies is launching its latest purification machine with formaldehyde detection technology next month.

This technology is a game changer: it is designed to capture ultra-fine dust and allergens, and even destroy potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs ), which are a large group of chemicals found in our homes, including formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a colorless pollutant gas released from furniture and wood products containing formaldehyde-based resins, such as plywood.

HOW TO REMOVE DUST MITES

Vacuum both sides of your mattress with an advanced filtration system, as well as your sofa and other upholstery.

Manage humidity levels

Dust mites hydrate by absorbing water from the air,

Air out your laundry

Air out bedding and blankets frequently, and ventilate your home by opening the window or using a HEPA filtered air purifier.

Ventilate

Don't forget to use the extractor fan after showering or while cooking, as simply increasing the humidity level for an hour and a half a day can allow dust mites to survive.

Control the temperature

Dust mites thrive in temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius. So be sure to vacuum the warmest areas of your home frequently to control dust mite levels, such as pet baskets, laundry bedding, or temperatures of 60-90 degrees Celsius.

Dust mites and their droppings are microscopic. If you see dust in your home, dust mites may already be thriving.