Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally
Improve Indoor Air Quality Naturally
By now you’ve probably heard that the air in
your home may actually make you sick. But did you know that a growing number
of Americans are also allergic to many of the chemicals used to “clean” the
air of offensive odors?
Experts agree that in many homes, schools and workplaces the indoor air
quality can be poorer than outdoor air quality. The problem can occur in
both older structures and new construction. Older buildings are more prone
to mold and dust problems, while newer construction, built to be more energy
efficient and air-tight, can trap air contaminants inside.
“Poor ventilation is a leading contributor to indoor air pollution,” notes
Kari Warberg, whose company, Crane Creek Gardens, develops all-natural air
cleaning products. “Improving ventilation is not always practical, so demand
is high for cost-effective alternatives. And consumers want those
alternatives to be environmentally conscious as well as successful.”
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a three-prong approach to
improving indoor air quality: control the source of pollutants, clean the
air and improve ventilation. Here are some suggestions for improving the air
in your home, office or school:
Source Control
Wherever possible, eliminate sources of pollution and their emissions.
Adjust gas stoves, furnaces and hot water heaters to decrease emissions.
Seal off or remove household materials that trigger allergic reactions.
The EPA points out that controlling the source of pollution is often the
most cost-effective way to tackle the problem of poor indoor air quality.
Improve Ventilation
Improve ventilation. In many cases, the air outdoors can be more healthful
than the air inside. Bring outdoor air inside with open windows or doors,
attic fans or window air conditioners with the vent control open.
It’s even more important to exhaust indoor air out of the house when you’re
performing any fume-generating task, such as painting, sanding, cooking,
soldering or operating a kerosene heater.
Cleaning the Air
If improving ventilation isn’t possible – such as when the stale air is in a
basement or inner room without windows – consider an air cleaner. Chemical
cleaners – such as over-the-counter air fresheners – may mask an offensive
odor, but can also add another layer of irritation for those with allergies
and chemical sensitivities. Mechanical air cleaners may improve air quality,
but they vary widely in effectiveness, convenience and price. Commonly, they
are unable to remove gaseous pollutants from the air.
Natural alternatives, such as placing houseplants in the interior
environment, and non-mechanical air cleaners that use zeolite – a type of
volcanic ash – have proven effective, safe and less costly than some other
alternatives. A disposable, bio-degradable freshening pack, dubbed Prairie
Aire, is a top seller for Warberg’s Crane Creek Gardens. Zeolite, which is
commonly used to absorb ammonia spills, filters allergens and odors from the
air. Available in six scents, each Prairie Aire packet is effective for 30
days or longer. Selling for less than $5 per packet on the company’s Web
site, www.cranecreekgardens.com, the Prairie Aire solution has been adopted
by government buildings, offices and businesses (such as painters)
throughout the country.
“The product is inspired by the prairies of the Dakotas, where the air
quality is among the best in the world because of the openness and movement
of air,” notes Warberg. “Consumers tell us they favor the product not just
because it is effective but because it is all-natural, low-cost, convenient
and biodegradable as well.”
To purchase Prairie Aire directly from the company, or to find a retailer in
your area, visit www.cranecreekgardens.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
