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The Air that we Breathe

The quality of our indoor air is paramount to the quality of our health.

Many people are instantly sensitive to indoor pollutants. This sensitivity often displays itself as sneezing, headaches, skin irritation or sinal effects. Sometimes the effect of these emissions can occur in our bodies at a later time.

Whatever our reaction, it is air that we breathe frequently, yet rarely give thought to.

Some items emit more emissions than others. New items will often secrete the highest emissions. If you've ever purchased a brand new car you will most likely have noticed a particularly strong odour when you sit inside.

Key items affecting our indoor air quality include:

Synthetic materials used in objects such as building materials, furniture, fittings and carpet
Pesticides, cleaning products, glues, paints and finishes
Cooking and heating outputs

In designing our homes we should give careful thought to the inclusion of items containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are a range of chemical substances that are present as gas or vapour and enter our bodies through our lungs. They are present in many items including glues, cleaning items, paints and finishes.

Formaldehyde – is a volatile organic compound (VOC) used in the manufacture of many products including pharmaceuticals, particle board, fibreboard, plywood, moulding, paper treating and coating, textile treating, surface coating, and foams for insulation.

The most effective way to prevent exposure to these potentially harmful items is to buy items with plant based substances or other chemical free finishes. Consider things such as:

Toxin free paints, adhesives, cleaning products, building materials
Steel termite barriers
Maintaining the ecological environment to manage pests
Sustainable hard finished flooring options with scatter rugs or sisal or coir flooring with natural underlays and toxin free glues

If seeking professional help with carpet cleaning services, check first what products they use.

When purchasing furniture, flooring and fittings ask questions about the materials used to form and construct them.

Also, trust your nose. If you get an immediate odour in the shop imagine how much more potent it will be in your own environment.

Try adding some indoor plants to help reduce the level of airborne VOCs.

Maximising your air ventilation is not only beneficial to capturing good summer breezes but it will also help with minimising the effects of toxins that are present in your home.

In winter however, we tend to want to keep the air flow down so shopping cleverly and healthily in the first place will ensure you breathe better all year round.

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