Since air circulation is often restricted inside, it is speculated that indoor pollutants are far worse for humans than poor outdoor air quality. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy claims that indoor pollutant levels are potentially 100 times the outdoor levels and may pose major health risks. Use these techniques to reduce the amount of pollutants in your home.
- Do not allow smoking in your home.
- Install a radon mitigation system to significantly reduce the level of radon gas in your home.
Do some research on the household products that you currently use to determine if they have any harmful effects or interactions with the environment and/or your health. - Before using building materials, review the harmful health effects and, if needed, select alternative materials.
- Monitor your home environment to make sure that there is adequate airflow and proper exhaust systems installed.
- Ventilate your house well by opening doors and windows and running fans when you are painting, using staining products or doing other home improvement tasks.
- Have a service technician inspect your appliances annually to ensure these items are working properly.
Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution
There are both long- and short-term health effects of indoor air pollution. Short-term effects of indoor air pollution include upper respiratory infections, headaches and nausea. Long-term effects of indoor air pollution include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and brain, nerve, liver and kidney damage.
Don’t put yourself at risk of these health effects—be sure to make the effort to mitigate indoor air pollution in your home.
For more home safety guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact INSURICA today.
This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. ©2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
Five Strategies for Reducing Workers’ Compensation Costs
When a company experiences significant increases in workers’ compensation costs, it usually triggers internal activities aimed at reducing insurance costs and spending. The key to spending fewer dollars is more than just stopping a few accidents; it is having a sound safety program designed to continuously improve. This is where a safety program that, at a minimum, is compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards can yield significant savings for by reducing injuries and illnesses, saving workers’ compensation dollars.
Hidden Risks of Summer School: Operational Safety Strategies Schools Can’t Ignore
Summer school risk management is essential to ensuring student and staff safety during the warm months. Many districts overlook the unique challenges tied to summer school risk management. Often, summer sessions operate in secondary campuses, under temporary staffing, and with reduced oversight—making them vulnerable. Proactive planning is essential to keep students and staff safe in environments that may not be designed for extended year-round use.
Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is continuously moving toward digitization, adopting advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Building Information Modeling software. These innovations help to automate tasks, reduce waste and improve efficiency, productivity and safety.