Fresh Thinking on Fresh Air
With the warm weather upon us it’s the perfect time to throw open your windows and let in some fresh air. But, did you know that when you maximize the ventilation in your home you’re doing far more than replacing stale air? You’re actually improving your health.
It stands to reason that fresh-air does a body good, but did you know that poorly ventilated homes have been linked to a number of health risks? A diverse group of organizations including the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Center for Disease Control, and the BC Ministry of Health have all identified a number of hazardous side-effects to poor air quality:
- dry mucous membranes
- eye, nose, and throat irritation
- allergy or asthma attacks
The first step to safe indoor air quality is great ventilation; the more fresh air you can bring in from the outside the better. Circulating fresh air will help remove pollutants like second hand smoke, fungi and microorganisms, and possibly even harmful gasses like radon or carbon monoxide. That, along with limiting the sources of harmful pollutants, and utilizing quality air filters and cleaners, can make a big difference in your health. Proper ventilation will help you breath a little easier, literally and figuratively.