When most people hear the words, "air pollution," they usually picture car exhaust and smokestacks. But pollution isn’t just about the toxic fumes that are spewed into the great outdoors. Pollution inside our homes is a serious threat, not only to our health, but to the environment. The pollutants we introduce to our homes and office buildings migrate into our outdoor air and eventually into our land, drinking water, and waterways.
Sources of indoor air pollution include building materials, fuels, carpeting, paints, furniture and household products, such as air fresheners and cleaners. Many of these products contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are hazardous to breathe. According to the EPA, concentrations of many VOCs are five to ten times higher indoors than outdoors. Poor ventilation also contributes to the problem, creating mold and other bacterial contaminants.
What can you do? Try to minimize products containing VOCs as much as possible. Make your own natural, cleaning products with baking soda, vinegar and lemons. When painting or putting in new carpet, ask for low-VOC, formaldehyde-free paints and adhesives. Look into purchasing eco-friendly area rugs made with chemical-free wools. Install exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms.
Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com or maidbrigade.com. For more information on "Household Cleaning Products and Breast Cancer", please watch our video at www.greencleancertified.com/greentv.
