If you haven’t already heard a lot about indoor air quality, then it’s time that you learned more. Indoor air pollution is something that effects each and every one of us, regardless of where we live. Just because you don’t smoke in the home, for instance, doesn’t mean that you and your family aren’t inhaling…
While mold definitely has a time and a place – it comes into play when creating many different types of cheese, for instance – it isn’t a welcome thing in most people’s homes. Keeping mold at bay is important for a number of different reasons, including the fact that its presence can trigger a wide…
Coping with allergies is not a whole lot of fun. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who has to grapple with allergies, it’s important to educate yourself as much as possible about the many different treatments and options for the condition. While many people are quick to assume that prescription medications and other…
If you own cats or dogs, then chances are that neither you or anyone else in your home is actively allergic to them. However, constantly breathing in pet dander can do a number on anyone’s respiratory system over time. Even if it’s effects aren’t apparent, pet dander can compromise your respiratory system – and your…
Wildfires happen every single year. This year is no exception, and thousands of homeowners are living in the midst of massive wildfires that are compromising the air quality of the surrounding areas. One thing that many people are blissfully unaware of, though, is that the smoke particles that are so obvious outdoors often make their…
These days, consumers have more options than ever before when it comes to achieving optimal indoor air quality. There is a huge selection of air purifiers on the market today; while many of them are of excellent quality and design, many others fall dismally short of offering any real health benefits. Austin Air purifiers are…
A recent study by the National Center for Healthy Housing has revealed that approximately one-third of all homes in major metropolitan areas have factors that may pose serious health risks for their inhabitants. With problems like asthma and allergy on the rise, the study highlights the importance of making the home a safe haven –…
The September 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology reports that recent research indicates there may be a link between air pollution and preterm birth in expecting mothers. The report is reluctant to make a definite link between the two phenomenons; however, the evidence that has been gathered through the extensive study is quite compelling. People…
The same scene replays itself each and every fall: millions of Americans start coughing, hacking, sniffling and sneezing with a vengeance. Allergies rear their ugly heads for many people during this time of year, and ragweed is the culprit behind at least 36 million of those cases annually. If you’re one of the unfortunate souls…
In a confirmation of what many doctors and researchers have suspected for years, a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham Young University has shown that decreasing air pollution extends people’s lifespans by an average of about five months. Considering how many people live in heavily polluted areas – and the…
It seems that with each passing day, a new study is released raising even more concern about the effects of air pollution on our health and well being. A recent study, whose findings were published in an issue of the journal Hypertension, was conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and…
For many of us, air pollution is a problem that is reserved for places like Los Angeles and Mexico City, where millions of people live in cramped, close quarters creating a huge amount of smog that hangs persistently over the city and surrounding areas. However, the problem of air pollution is actually much more widespread…
As a parent, your natural instinct is to protect your infant at all costs. Unfortunately, many parents inadvertently expose their babies to harmful things right in their own home. Among many other things, indoor air quality is incredibly important for the health of everyone in the home – especially newborns. Babies are particularly sensitive to…
While most of us associate springtime with ritualistic cleaning – hence the popular term “spring cleaning” – fall is a really good time to get things spic and span in preparation for the upcoming winter. If you live in a cold climate, especially, it is smart to get all of the major cleaning done before…
When most people consider air pollution, they don’t think of the inside of their homes. They should. The Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air contaminants can be five times as concentrated as those found outside. People spend the majority of their time indoors and yet they never realize that the rooms are full of airborne…
When most people think about air pollution, they envision places like Los Angeles or Mexico City – large, densely populated megalopolises where smog seems to be a permanent part of the landscape. Those who live in suburban areas and more rural places tend to think that they don’t have to worry about air quality and…
For a while there, ionic air purifiers took the world of air purification by storm. People were drawn in by their quiet operation, the fact that they don’t use or require filters, and for their energy efficiency. It seemed as if HEPA air purifiers had some legitimate competition for the very first time. It didn’t…
An exciting new study out of Denmark indicates that using HEPA filters may help significantly improve cardiovascular health. Considering how many people suffer from health issues due to cardiovascular issues these days, the finding may prompt new hope by providing a new line of defense against this silent killer. Along with getting plenty of exercise,…
Everyone knows that smoking and pregnancy don’t mix; women who smoke are more likely to have their babies prematurely, exposing them to greater health risks and other problems. Therefore, most pregnant women conscientiously refrain from smoking while pregnant, and try to avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible. Despite all of these precautions, though, a…
As a health conscious individual, you undoubtedly seek to eat a healthy diet and avoid harmful chemicals and toxins as much as possible. You most likely do everything you can to ensure that your children and family are safe and protected from impurities in their daily lives, too. Despite that diligence, you might be overlooking…