While radon resistant construction measures and mitigation systems are certainly the most effective when it comes to keeping the deadly gas out of your home, Indoor airPlus Construction Specifications can also keep the air quality in your home at healthy levels.

According to the US EPA:

“Indoor airPLUS labeled homes are designed and built to help protect your family from indoor air pollution. The program also provides builders of ENERGY STAR Certified Homes with a new opportunity to differentiate themselves from the competition.”

These standards were adopted because indoor air pollution is becoming more and more of a problem over time. In fact, the EPA estimates that the average air inside a home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Indoor airPlus Homes Must Meet a Series of Strict Requirements

All homes must be verified to meet the necessary requirements before they are labeled as Indoor airPlus certified. The US EPA has provided builders and contractors with a very thorough checklist and set of instructions for implementing Indoor airPlus construction in a home.

As a general guideline, Indoor airPlus homes were designed with these seven techniques in mind.

1. Moisture Control – All areas of the home, including the foundation must be sealed and constructed using moisture resistant measures. This prevents moisture, severe humidity and several problems assocaited with those elements from contaminating the air inside the home.
2. Radon Resistant Construction – The common radon resistent construction measures must be implemented. Obviously, this will prevent radon from collecting and building up inside the home at dangerous levels.
3. Pest Barrier Construction – Potential pathways for pests should be sealed enough to prevent entry into the home. This includes preventative measures for rodents, insects – including termites – and birds.
4. Proper HVAC System Measures – The various inner workings, ducts and ventilation areas must utilize the proper HVAC measures to prevent air contamination inside the home. This includes measures to prevent indoor humidity, moisture, and exhaust areas for known pollutants.
5. Combustion Pollutant Control – This essentially requires the implementation of measures and techniques to prevent common pollutants such as auto emissions, tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide and more.
6. Low – Emission Construction Materials – This includes a series of instructions about the types of materials that can be used to build the home, all of which do not exhibit VOC traits, or volatile organic compounds. Certain materials – if used – can and will release pollutants over an extended period of time. This technique basically ensures very few to none of those materials are used.
7. Home Commissioning – The homeowner or buyer must be educated on the Indoor airPlus certification and the measures used to keep the air quality in the home at healthy levels. They must understand the airPlus requirements checklist and any systems in place to keep the home clean.

Is Your Home Indoor airPlus Certified?

As you can see, before a home can be given the Indoor airPlus label it must include everything from the extensive checklist. After purchasing a verified home, you’ll be given a manual that describes all the preventative measures taken – and instructions to operate the various systems in place.

Image by the US EPA

The presence of radon in new homes can be eliminated with the use of radon resistant construction, which requires contractors to implement various building techniques that prevent the deadly gas from seeping into the residence. Since radon is a naturally occurring gas that can exist anywhere, resistant construction measures are a requirement in most places.

Believe it or not, the techniques used are not beyond the skill of the average contractor and they do not require any special equipment. No special skills are need to use these techniques either, so as a homeowner you have a right to ensure these measures are being implemented.

For the most part, the techniques used may vary but they will all follow these five basic rules.

Five Basic Rules for Radon Resistant Construction

1. Gravel must be placed underneath the home. Contractors must use a 4-inch layer of clean and course gravel below the foundation of the home – also known as the “slab.” The gravel effectively allows the gases produced by the soil to move around underneath the home itself. This layer is often referred to by contractors as the “air flow layer” because it allows circulation beneath the home.

2. A plastic sheeting or vapor retarder must be placed between the gravel layer and the home. If plastic sheeting is used it must be heavy duty plastic (6 mil. polyethylene). The plastic sheeting or retarder serves two purposes: first it prevents the gases from seeping up from the gravel into the home, and second it prevents the poured concrete from draining into the gravel and ruining the air flow.

3. A ventilation pipe or drainage system must be put into place. Contractors will usually run a 3 or 4 inch PVC schedule 40 pipe from the gravel bed through the home and to the roof. This will safely vent all gas, including radon, outside the home without endangering those who live within.

4. All openings, cracks, crevices and seams must be sealed and caulked. This is especially important in the concrete foundation as it will prevent gases like radon from seeping into the home. Polyurethane caulk should always be used.

5. An electrical junction box or outlet should be installed in the attic along with a vent fan to ensure the gases are pushed out of the home. This step isn’t always required, and is primarily used for more robust mitigation solutions. A lot of times this will only be installed after a problem is identified in a home, or in high risk areas.

Radon Resistant Construction

Even after a mitigation system has been installed – including radon resistant measures in a new home – it’s a good idea to test for the presence of the deadly gas. In most cases, it’s smarter to purchase a radon detector that will constantly monitor the gas levels inside the home.

The cost of implementing radon resistant measures in a new home will depend on the materials, equipment and builders themselves. That said, it is definitely cheaper to take prevantative measures when the home is built as opposed to later when a problem has been identified, not to mention it’s better for the health of those living inside the home – long term exposure to radon creates the most problems.

As outlined by the EPA, if contractors and builders use radon resistant measures they “should provide customers with achecklist of included features.” You can find a copy of that RRNC checklist here.

Image by Eric Schmuttenmaer

Testing your home for radon is extremely important, it doesn’t matter whether your home is new or old. Since radon is a naturally ocurring gas it can exist anywhere, and it can be a problem in any residence, business or building. We recommend testing at least twice a year, once in the summer and another time in the winter. This is because the radon concentration inside a structure can vary depending on certain elements, one of which has to do with the local climate and season.

While we have established that radon testing is important and why it is, we have not discussed the best places to find radon testing equipment. To be perfectly honest, you’re better off hiring a radon mitigation contractor to handle testing and installation of a mitigation system – where it is necessary. However, you can do it all yourself if you’d rather do it that way.

Where to Buy Radon Testing Equipment

The best place to buy radon testing kits is actually online. There are several manufacturers that sell and ship their equipment at a low cost to the consumer. Just a simple web search will turn up plenty of results, but if you’re looking for a more mainstream distributor you can visit Amazon – there are tons available on the platform.

If you’d like to see the different radon testing kits that are available take a look at the comparison chart.

Of course, the next point to keep in mind is that you want to start with a short term test. Short term tests are generally conducted from a period of 7-90 days, where the testing kit is left to sit for that long in order to collect an air sample. If the test results returned from the lab show elevated levels of radon in your home, then you should conduct a follow-up test using a long term kit. Long term kits are left for a period of longer than 90 days and give an accurate reading of the average radon levels in your home. Because the concentration of radon can fluctuate the average is a more pertinent reading of the levels in your home. If the long term results also show elevated radon levels, then you need to take action and have a mitigation system installed as soon as possible.

State Radon Testing Programs

Most states – but not all – have a radon program, and the ones that do sometimes offer free testing kits to homeowners. To find out if there’s a radon program in your state take a look at the National Radon Directory.

If your state does offer free radon testing kits that is the best way to get your hands on one. Generally, there’s no cost to the homeowner and the kits will be shipped to you. You may or may not have to pay shipping to send the test samples into a remote lab, but it is inexpensive.

Image by Yale Rosen

Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Unfortunately, lung cancer does not produce noticeable symptoms during it’s earliest stages.

By the time patients begin to see side effects, they are often long past a curable state. In approximately 40 percent of those with lung cancer, a majority of them were diagnosed after the disease has advanced to a deadly state. In about one third of those diagnosed, the lung cancer had already progressed to stage 3. This is why it is highly recommended that you undergo consistent screening if you believe that you are at risk.

With all of that aside, what are the symptoms of lung cancer? What are some signs everyone should watch out for? Please keep in mind that all the symptoms listed below generally indicated a more progressed stage of lung cancer, so if you believe you exhibit one of these symptoms you need to consult with a doctor immediately.

Nine Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Lingering Cough – If you contract a cough right along with a cold or respiratory infection it will generally go away within a week or so. If you have a cough that persists longer than that – or have had one – then it’s time to pay a visit to the doctor. Even if the chronic cough is not associated with lung cancer, it can signify other severe health issues. Your doctor will likely listen to your lungs and may order an X-ray to find the source of the problem.

Evolving Cough – Borrowing from the previous point, if your cough changes in any way it may be a sign of lung cancer or a serious lung illness – especially if you are a smoker. For example, if you find that you’re coughing more often than usual, if the sound has grown deeper or more course, or if you’re coughing up blood, then you need to visit a doctor.

Changes in Breathing – If you notice that you’ve grown short of breath more often, or if you’re having difficult breathing in any way these are possible symptoms of lung cancer. Depending on where the cancer or tumor is located is can block the airway, or build up fluid in the lungs. The easiest way to tell if there is a change is to assess activities that you could previously perform without difficulty breathing. If you find yourself running out of breath after climbing stairs – and you never did before – this is cause for alarm and warrants a visit to your doctor.

Chest Pain – Believe it or not, lung cancer can actually cause pain in the chest, shoulder, arm or back area. Most people associate this type of pain with heart attacks, but that’s not always the case. Often, the pain can be incurred through dull or consistent aches – it’s not always brought on by another issue like coughing. Lung cancer can cause chest pain when lymph nodes have enlarged or tumors have metastisized to the chest wall, pleura or ribs.

Wheezing – There are many health issues that can cause wheezing so this is definitely not a symptom exclusive to cancer. If the lungs or airways become constricted, blocked or inflamed somehow then it produces a wheezing noise when the affected individual breathes. Don’t just assume that your wheezing is caused by asthma, allergies, or minor lung issues – if you experience wheezing visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Raspy Voice or Changes – If you notice a change in your voice, such as it becomes more raspy and hoarse this is another possible symptom of lung cancer. If a tumor affects the larynx – or voice box – then it can cause some pretty blatant changes in the tone and sound of your voice. This issue can also be caused by a common cold or infection, but if the problem pesists for longer than two weeks an immediate check-up is recommended.

Drastic Weight Loss – A quick, or drastic change in weight is another symptom of lung cancer. The cancerous cells inside the body actually consume necessary energy, resulting in the body dropping weight – as if the person affected were working hard to lose it. If you notice a drastic change in weight and you haven’t change your lifestyle or habits, you might want to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Bone Pain – This one might be a little harder to pinpoint, but it often causes those affected to experience pain in their back, neck or various areas of the body. Lung cancer can spread to the bones and cause pain in affected areas. Always discuss any discomfort, pain or aches with your doctor to ensure it’s not being caused by something more serious.

Headaches – Frequent headaches are common in those who have any form of cancer. This is often a sign that the cancer has spread to the brain, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. Lung cancer can also cause headaches, because a tumor may press on the superior vena cava causing pressure. This is the vein that moves blood from the upper body back to the heart. If this vein is blocked it can cause some rather intense headaches.

Regular Check-ups and Screening Can Help

The mortality rate for lung cancer is so high because patients aren’t diagnosed until the later stages. This is why it’s important to pay regular visits to your doctor and undergo screening if you’re considered a high risk patient – or if cancer runs in your family.

Radon is certainly not the only cause of lung cancer, but at least you’ll know how to protect yourself in the event that you are exposed to elevated levels.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that forms naturally. It can seep into any home through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors regardless of location. That means every homeowner should test their home for the presence of radon, but not just the presence – the abundance of it, as well.

How is Radon Formed?

Radon forms naturally during the decay of various radioactive elements such as uranium. The affected elements can be found at several different levels in soil and rock, all around the world. As the elements decay they produce the deadly gas radon which moves into the air and upper levels of the ground. It can also seep into ground and surface water, which is yet another way it can enter the home – through a water source.

Many people believe that radon gas, or at least the presence of it is a hoax – a placebo if you will. It is very real, and it is a danger to everyone. It can seep into any home, residence, or business.

Why is Radon so Dangerous?

Long term exposure to radon is the biggest problem, however symptoms do not generally show until its too late. Since radon is the second leading cause of cancer the world over, it’s likely that those exposed to radon for extended periods of time will eventually be plagued by it. Lung cancer has a remarkably high mortality rate, because like radon poisoning there are no short term symptoms. In fact, most of the time when a lung cancer victim has been diagnosed the disease has progressed beyond a curable state.

What’s really sad is that there are 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States which are directly associated to radon exposure, yet many of them could be prevented.

How to Avoid Radon Exposure?

For the most part, there will always be some level of radon gas inside your residence. However, once the levels are above 4.0pCi/L, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends immediate action. We actually recommend taking action if the levels are above 2.0pCi/L, because even that can be considered a dangerous amount.

The only way to discover the presence of radon, or find out how much exists inside your home is to perform a test. If test results show elevated levels, then you need to have a mitigation system installed which essentially vents the gas out of the indoor space.

We recommend testing your home, residence or business at least twice a year, once during the summer and another time in the winter. This is because radon levels can fluctuate throughout the air. Always start with a short term test and if it returns an elevated reading, follow-up with a long term test.

If a mitigation system is installed in your home, be sure to have a radon detector installed just to make sure the equipment is working properly. Just because a mitigation system is in place and running, does not mean that radon levels can not become dangerous inside the home.

Why are You Repeating All of This?

Most of this information has been recycled here and there at Radon Resources, but there’s a rhyme and reason behind it. The more people that know about radon and its dangers, the more lives can be saved. In addition, most people learn by repetition so if they read the same thing multiple times they’re more likely to recall it later. Since radon induced lung cancer can be prevented for the most part by running a simple test in your home – and taking action if levels are too high – it seems silly not to make more people aware of the problem. Does it not?

In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency held a video contest that called for lung cancer survivors to share their experience with the world. The winner, Eddie Metcalfe produced a video that shows firsthand what folks diagnosed with lung cancer must go through. It serves as a call to action for the rest of us, proof that every home needs to be tested for the presence of radon.

The Dangers of Radon: Eddie’s Story

Eddie’s video may only be a minute long, but his experience – which cost him a portion of his lung – will remain with him for the rest of his life. The sad part about the story is that it probably could have easily been prevented, with a simple radon test.

As Eddie mentioned, the radon levels in his home were extremely high. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, all across the world. There are absolutely no short terms symptoms of radon poisoning or lung cancer. In fact, most lung cancer victims are diagnosed too late because symptoms don’t start to show until after the disease has reached an incurable state.

Radon is deadly, odorless, colorless and tasteless. The only way to identify its presence is to perform a test specifically for it. We recommend testing twice a year, once in the summer and another time in the winter. If elevated levels are discovered during one of those tests, you should perform a long term test. Final results will show whether or not a mitigation system needs to be installed. If levels exceed 4.0 pCi/L action is definitely necessary, but we recommend mitigation if the levels are any higher than 2.0 pCi/L.

The greater the number of people that understand the dangers of radon, the greater the number of lives that can be saved.

Radon May Not Be the Only Danger in Your Home

Believe it or not, radon is extremely common yet most people have no clue what it is. That said, there are quite a few other dangers that may or may not exist in a home. If you’d like to read more about some of those take a look at our in-depth article on keeping the air quality in your home clean and fresh.

If you, or someone you know has been affected by lung cancer we urge you to share your experience and story with others. It will help save lives and raise awareness about the problem, one which most people have no clue even exists.

If even one life is saved because someone read or shared this content, then we have been successful. The dangers of radon need to be discussed far and wide.

The dangers of radon are discussed quite a bit, along with the environmental and health impact of the deadly gas. However, it’s not often that you hear from actual lung cancer victims. This is primarily due to the fact that lung cancer has an extremely high mortality rate, because it’s often not diagnosed until late stages of the disease. There are no short term symptoms of radon poisononing or lung cancer. By the time victims experience symptoms associated with the disease it’s already passed beyond a curable state.

The Lung Association of Nova Scotia is trying to get lung cancer survivors, or families of those affected to reach out and share their personal experiences. They’re having a hard time doing that because of a stigma that seems to be associated with the disease. Many affected by lung cancer believe they did it to themselves, because a lot of them smoke.

Lung Cancer Survivors are Often Stigmatized

Robert MacDonald’s father passed away in 2011 after a battle with lung cancer. He says that even though many were very supportive about the problem – including doctors, and their community – his father actually blamed himself.

“You know, [to the point] where I did this to myself after many years of smoking.”

Tobacco smoke isn’t the only cause of lung cancer, however. In many cases it simply increases the risk of the disease, along with several other factors. When exposure to radon and tobacco smoke go hand in hand, that risk increases exponentially.

Louis Brill, the president and CEO of the Lung Association of Nova Scotia pointed out one of the most common factors in lung cancer, which is exposure to the deadly gas radon.

“We know radon gas, which is prevalent in Nova Scotia, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. We’re all aware of tobacco use being the number one cause, but for us it doesn’t matter.”

Brill and his association say they want to hear from lung cancer survivors and those who have been affected by the disease.

“We want to stop, ask questions, and listen so that their experience can help guide us to make sure that we’re on the right track, that we’re identifying the needs.”

Lung Cancer Survivors Can Share Their Personal Experience to Help

The real concern is that it can be prevented easily if people are made aware of the problem more often. While smoking is not easy to stop, it can certainly be done. As for radon, homeowners just need to conduct a simple and inexpensive test to find out if there are elevated levels inside their home.

Believe it or not, lung cancer is actually the leading cause of death in Nova Scotia. The disease claims the lives of about 700 residents every year, more than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined.

Brill says that the association is trying to figure out how to make this information more accessible.

“[…]How do we couple that information? How do we provide it so that it’s easy to access?”

As for McDonald, he began working for the Lung Association after his father died. He shares his own personal experience with others, to help raise awareness about lung cancer. He also says it’s important for other who are affected by the disease to share.

“Just knowing what families go through, you know, the devastation that a disease like this can bring on a family, letting people know that make decisions, what kind of comforts…or how to maneuver through the system.”

If you, or someone you know has been affected by lung cancer please feel free to reach out and share your experience. You can do so through the local Lung Association department, or here.

Via: CTV News Atlantic

We often discuss the fact that radon is indiscriminate in terms of location, but a lot of news about the deadly gas comes directly out of the US. While we have discussed its presence in Canada, United Kingdom and other locations there are plenty of other areas in the world where its an issue.

According to information from the Radiological Protection Instititute of Ireland (RPII), 181 homes have been found to contain elevated levels of radon in a span of just eight months. In addition, nearly 8,000 other homes labeled as a high risk for the presence of radon gas have been checked. That may seem like a pretty high number, until you consider the fact that there are 83,000 more homes in the country which have yet to be tested. That means, only 8% of the homes in Ireland have actually been tested for elevated levels of radon.

The image on the right is a map of Ireland, which depicts the areas of the country that have a higher risk for radon. Whether you are in a high risk area or not, you should still have your home – or business – tested for the presence of radon.

Many More Homes in Ireland May Have Elevated Levels of Radon

Radon has been linked to about 250 cases of lung cancer in Ireland per year. The unfortunate part about that is it can be prevented quite easily. Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to detect its presence is to test for it. However, tests are fairly inexpensive and just take an extended period of time – depending on whether you’re conducting a long or short term test.

We recommend testing your residence at least twice a year, once in the summer and a second time in the winter. All homeowners should test, regardless of home type, or location. Common practice is to conduct a short term test first, and if elevated levels are discovered then a long term test should follow to identify the average radon levels. You can also install a radon detector that will monitor levels constantly, but they are generally only necessary after you install a mitigation system.

What to Do If Elevated Levels of Radon Are Found?

If elevated levels are found, you will need to contact a professional radon mitigator to setup a mitigation system – which removes radon gas from the home. There are many different kinds of mitigation systems available, which is why it’s best to contact a professional, although you can do it yourself if you have the wherewithal.

It is important to keep in mind that elevated radon levels can still exist inside your home even if your closest neighbors do not have an issue. The radon can seep into homes from the soil through cracks in the foundation, walls and floors. Once inside, it is trapped and gathers in abundance. Some homes are more susceptible to radon, especially those that were built long before radon resistant construction measures were adopted. SInce a large majority of homes in Ireland are very old, it’s definitely a widespread issue in the country. Then again, radon is a problem in every country.

Via: The Journal.ie

Image by AJ Batac

A couple in Winnipeg, Canada recently discovered that dangerous radon levels of 481 becquerels – about two and a half times the recommended limit set by the government – were present in their home. Worse yet, the home is actually managed by the Department of National Defence, and they knew about the problem and even dealt with it in the past.

Lindsay Olafson and her husband, an active military member, moved into the home back in 2012.

The Department of Defence Knew About the Dangerous Radon Levels in the Home

About three years before that the department found elevated and dangerous radon levels – which were nearly five times the recommended limit – they had a mitigation system installed to lower the concentration, but never told the Olafson family about it when they moved in.

“They wouldn’t put their family members in this house, so why would they put ours? It’s very disappointing and very unethical.”

Mrs. Olafson says that she’s afraid for her family, and rightfully so – radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

“It’s an awful feeling trying to fall asleep at night,” she said. “My husband and I could get sick from this and possibly die.”

The Appropriate Mitigation System Was Never Installed

The silliest part about the story is that the Department of Defence didn’t even use the proper form of mitigation for the situation. They told CBC News that they always mitigate homes by sealing cracks in the foundations and walls, in addition to installing a heat recovery ventilator. The department claims the system will reduce levels by 25 to 75 percent.

However, Bob Wood a radon expert operating out of Toronto says that a heat recovery ventilator is not always the best option. In fact, it wouldn’t even be his first choice for a mitigation system.

“With radon being a radioactive gas in a home, we want to make sure that the system that goes in is simply the best and takes little or no maintenance.” As it turns out, the heat ventilators need quite a bit of maintenance because they must be checked on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Unfortunately for the Olafson’s, they were never educated on the ventilator system, nor told that it existed to reduce the presence of radon. As a result, Mr’s Olafson left the system off at times when it should actually have been running constantly.

“If they don’t tell people what they are for, then what’s the use? Your house is supposed to be a safe haven, not a silent killer. My husband helps keep the country safe, and in turn the [Canadian Forces Housing Agency] isn’t keeping us safe. [Our home] should be fixed so we can live here safely.”

The Department of National Defence declined to participate in an interview with CBC News, only stating that they will perform further testing of the Olafson house in fall, 2014. Olafson was not able to provide any further information on what the department plans to do in terms of fixing her home.

Via: CBC News

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, most people spend about 90% of their time indoors. However, they may be breathing contaminated air that is actually two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. In other words, our homes may actually be killing us slowly and threatening the lives of our families.

There are precautions you can take to keep the air inside your home cleaner and fresher. The first of which is to keep toxins away from your home such as cigarette and cigar smoke, excessive moisture and unhealthy chemicals. The second involves ventilating the air inside your home regularly to clean and release some of the pollutants that would otherwise hang around. This can be done easily by opening your windows, doors, and running exhaust fans.

The Three Most Deadly Indoor Pollutants Affecting the Air Quality in Your Home

Believe it or not, there are actually three extremely deadly but common pollutants that can be found indoors. They are carbon monoxide and radon gas, and secondhand tobacco smoke.

1. Carbon Monoxide – More than 400 Americans die every year due to a carbon monoxide problem inside their home, with thousands hospitalized and severely sick.
2. Secondhand Tobacco Smoke – 7,500 to 15,000 children are hospitalized due to a respiratory tract infection related to secondhand smoke exposure. Even worse, many older adults with cardiovascular issues or lung problems are at a much higher risk for sever health problems when exposed to secondhand smoke.
3. Radon Gas – This odorless, tasteless and colorless gas can seep into the home from underneath the foundation. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, a type of cancer that has the highest mortality rates. More than 20,000 lung cancer deaths every year can be traced back to long-term radon exposure.

How Do You Combat These Pollutants and Keep the Air Quality in Your Home Clean?

Image by SuperFantastic (Flickr)

Smoking is actually pretty easy to combat, when compared to the others. That’s not to say it’s easy to kick the habit, however. The most ideal preventative strategy would be to eliminate smoking altogether, which means if you or a family member smokes encourage them to stop. If that’s not an option, then always refrain from smoking inside the home. Furthermore, never smoke near windows or doors that lead into your home. Ensure that you are far enough away from a home before lighting a cigarette or cigar.

Carbon monoxide can’t always be prevented, but it can be monitored by installing a detection system. Similar to a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide monitor (detector) will scan the indoor air and sound an alarm if it identifies an issue. A lot of older appliances like hot water heaters, furnaces and more can release this deadly gas if they are not ventilated properly.

Radon is the worst on this list, as most people have no clue it exists inside their home. In fact, because it’s odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it. We recommend testing at least twice a year, once in the summer and again in the winter. You can also purchase long-term radon detectors similar to carbon monoxide detectors.

Additional Cleaning Tips to Keep the Air Quality in Your Home Fresh

Of course, there are plenty of other ways you can combat these toxins in your home. Here, is a short list of some rather unconventional cleaning strategies.

• 

  Image by Sean A O’Hara

  Place greenery around your home or install a living wall. Many plants actually help filter and clean toxins out of the air. It’s always a good idea to place a few around your home to help eliminate or reduce air pollutants. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of plants you can buy that require little to no maintanence.

• Use low-VOC paints and decorative materials. Fresh paint, even after it has dried can release trace amounts of toxins and gases for months after they have been used. These gases are referred to as VOCs or volatile organic compounds. They can include traces of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde or acetaldehyde. Instead use low-VOC paints, varnishes, waxes and more to decorate your home. Always open windows when you’re painting and turn on all exhaust fans in your home. Allow your air to ventilate regularly when you’ve recently done a paint job.

• Check your roof, foundation, basement, crawlspace and walls for leaks or cracks. Even just a small amount of moisture leaking into an area can cause an issue over time. If you find anything, be sure to fill or fix the cracks before the building materials used become damp. If the moisture is not kept in check, it can lead to high humidity, mold and mildew. All of these issues have been attributed to coughing, asthma, wheezing and other respiratory problems.

• Clean air conditioning units and dehumidifiers regularly. They can produce a standing water supply responsible for the growth of dust mites, mold and mildew. In addition, using these ventilation systems will help eliminate moisture and dirty air inside the home.

• Keep pets away from sleeping areas and furniture such as beds, couches and others. There is absolutely no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet, so if you’re prone to allergies stay away from animals – or at least don’t keep them in your home. Animal saliva, urine, feces and dead skin cells can produce deadly toxins and allergens. Cat allergens can actually stay in a location for a period of 20 weeks or more, even if the animal has been removed from the environment. Always clean animals after they have spent time outdoors, because they can track in toxins from outside as well.

• Solvents and cleaning chemicals used in dry cleaning can actually be extremely toxic. Always allow dry cleaned items to air out before bringing them into your home. You can easily ventilate the toxins by allowing them to hang on a clothesline outdoors before bringing them inside.

Image by Gilles San Martin

• Remove carpet completely and replace it with vinyl, tile or wood. Carpet and cloth floors actually trap pollutants and harmful particles like dirt, fungi, dust mites and more. Vacuuming carpets can alleviate this issue somewhat, but it can actually send the pollutants airborne too. If you cannot remove carpets, or do not want to resort to a HEPA or high efficiency particle air vacuum cleaner and filter to improve air quality. Also shampoo your carpet regularly, but ventilate afterwards to prevent the buildup of excess moisture and humidity.

• Change your air filters on time. Most people actually leave their air filters in for longer than they should. This promotes a buildup of toxins and pollutants in the air because it is no longer being cleaned properly during ventilation. Depending on the type of air filter used, it is recommended that you change your filter every one to three months. If the cost becomes an issue you can always purchase reusable filters that can be cleaned before being reinstalled. If you do decide to use a cleanable filter, always clean it outdoors and wear a respiratory mask while doing so.

This list could go on forever as there are plenty of things you can do to keep the air quality in your home healthy and fresh. What are some things you do to help keep your home clean and healthy for your family? Is there anything listed here that you were never aware of before?