Indoor air quality is something within our control.
The place where we stay and work is certainly much more manageable than the outdoor environment.
It is a relief to know that many diseases caused by indoor air pollution can be eliminated with just three simple basic strategies.
Firstly, we have to identify and control the source.
We have to identify and eliminate the individual sources of pollution, or to reduce their emissions.
Some sources of emissions are those like gas stoves, which emit poisonous gaseous into the air in the kitchen.
It can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions, and checks can be carried out on a periodic basis for leakage.
Some sources, like those containing asbestos, such as heat-resistant insulators, hot pipe coverings and inert filler medium, can be sealed up or enclosed.
The second strategy is to improve the ventilation.
In addition to the source control, another method to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors.
Open your windows and doors to let the air flow circulate in and out throughout your home or office on a daily basis for a period of time, either every morning or evening, or whenever the weather permits.
Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust the indoor air outwards can help to increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.
This step is particularly important, if you are engaged in any sort of activities which generate high levels of pollutants, such as painting the walls, cooking, or maintenance activities such as soldering, welding or sanding.
Last but not least, the most simple and effective strategy is to install an indoor air purifier.
There are many types and sizes of air purifier on the market, ranging from relatively inexpensive table-top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems.
Although some air cleaners may be able to remove air particles rather effectively, but not many are known to remove airborne contaminants effectively and also the bad odor at the same time.
A good air purifier must be able to remove allergen, bacteria, fungal spores, virus including the Virus Influenza A which causes H1N1 pandemic, pollen, chemical like ozone, radon as well as mineral like asbestos which is known to be a carcinogenic- cancer causing agent.
For energy saving, look for ENERGY STAR (which pass the guidelines set by the US EPA and US DOE) whenever you purchase an air purifier.