Winter Air Quality and your Home
Step back and take a deep breath. Feels great, doesn't it? With
the winter season well upon us, it is time to stop and think
about the quality of the air you are breathing. Air quality
issues do not get the same attention in the winter months as
they might in the summer, but that does not mean that they do
not exist. In fact, a number of studies have shown that indoor
air quality is often worse in the winter.
This happens for a number of reasons, the most obvious of which
is the fact that we spend so much time indoors in the winter.
During the summer time, most people open all of their doors and
windows to increase the flow of fresh air into their home. In
the winter, we are all so preoccupied with staying warm that
fresh air is often an afterthought. There are a number of good
reasons to air out your home, even in the freezing winter months.
A lot of people purchase new home furnishings in the winter, to
improve on the level of comfort in their homes. This can be
problematic, especially in the case of new carpeting and
upholstery. A great majority of the carpets and upholstery on
the market emit toxic substances known as volatile organic
compounds, which are a by-product of the manufacturing process.
Volatile organic compounds are a suspected cause of eye, nose,
and throat irritations, headaches, skin irritations, breathing
difficulties, and fatigue. If you must install new carpet, have
the work done in the summer...when you are on vacation.
Along with new furnishings, people often try to take advantage
of the time they are spending indoors by repainting the interior
of their home. This, too, can be a significant source of indoor
pollution. If you are considering some winter redecorating, try
to find a quality paint that does not contain volatile organic
compounds. Otherwise, it might be prudent to wait until the
summer comes. In the case of VOC's, opening the windows in your
home will not reduce the impact these chemicals can have on your
health. These chemicals are often emitted at very low levels,
for a very long time.
There are countless people who love nothing more than to curl up
in front of a roaring fireplace to stay warm and cozy during the
colder months. Fireplaces and woodstoves can have a detrimental
impact on the air quality in your home. Your furnace, wood
stove, and/or fireplace should be properly maintained and
serviced annually. When they are not functioning properly,
fireplaces can be a source of poisonous carbon monoxide and
formaldehyde. Play it safe, and be sure to maintain your
appliances annually. Your health and wellbeing may depend on it.