Indoor pollution - Breathe Right - minimizing risks of indoor air pollution - Brief Article

Men's Fitness, May, 2002

Unless you work in a charnel house or live in a Bora Bora cave, house dust is one of the most harmful concoctions you can inhale. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this witches' brew of cotton lint, human skin particles, mold and fungus spores, food parts, animal dander and microscopic dust mites can be two or three--and occasionally more than 100--times denser than outdoor pollution. And when you consider that the average American spends about 90 percent of his time indoors, and more than half of that time in the home, it kind of makes you want to hold your breath. Here are some tips for a healthier house from the American Lung Association. (For more info, go to the ALA Web site at www.lungusa.org.)

* Don't smoke indoors, and don't keep more than a few logs of firewood indoors. Mold spores can result from drying firewood.

* Bathe and groom pets often, and minimize their time on carpets and in the bedrooms of those with allergies and asthma.

*Use window coverings you can wash or clean easily, like those made of plastic or wood.

* Wash bedding weekly in hot water of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and vacuum frequently.

* Keep humidity down with a dehumidifier or an air conditioner. For better circulation, keep doors between rooms open as much as possible and open windows if practical.

* Avoid indoor molds by regularly cleaning bathrooms, kitchens and basements.

* If you have allergies or asthma, go to www.niaid.nih.gov/ factsheets/dustfree.htm for tips on making your bedroom dust-free.