Indoor Air Quality
You will spend about half your life inside your home. Is the air in your home safe for your family to breathe? It is not always easy to tell. We see smoke and notice bad smells, but carbon monoxide, radon, mold spores, and other dangers can hide from our senses. Take these steps to help ensure better air quality in your home:
- Test Your Home for Radon. Radon is a cancer-causing gas found in many basements. Radon test kits are cheap. Pick one up at your local hardware store, or call your local health department for more information.
- Don’t Smoke in Your Home. Don’t smoke in your home or car. Never smoke near children.
- Open Your Windows. Let the fresh air in whenever someone uses chemicals in the home or garage.
- Be Careful with New Carpeting. Ask the carpeting salesperson to unroll a new carpet and let it air out before bringing it into your home. Put in new carpet when you can open your windows. Vacuum your old carpet before removing it to control dust.
- Be Careful with New Furniture. Air out new furniture and building materials for a few days before bringing them inside. Look for products made with non-toxic chemicals and materials. Sometimes green building products cost more. Decide whether the cost is worth protecting the health of your family.
Indoor air quality web links and contact information:
- Lucas County Health Department (419) 213-4100, ext. 3
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality (EPA)
- National Radon Information Hotline (800) SOS-RADON or (800) 767-7236
- National Lead Information Center (800) 424-LEAD or (800) 424-5323
- American Lung Association (800) LUNG-USA or (800) 586-4872
