Is Your House Making You Sick? (NAPSA)—On average, Ameri- cans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors—of that 90 percent, about 65 percent is spent at home. Indoor air pollution, including household allergens, is one of the leading causes of health problems in the United States. According to Dan Stih, Certified Indoor Environmental Expert, jretired engineer and author of “Healthy Living Spaces: Top 10 Hazards Affecting Your ™ Health,” indoor pollution can be just as harmful as outdoor Daniel Stih pollution. “The last thing any person wants is to live in a sick house, full of triggers that end up affecting their overall well-being,” says Stih. “Paying attention to how your appliances work, the ingredients in cleaning supplies and your overall atmosphere will help combat pollutants and reduce allergies to improve your home environment.” Stih suggests five practical tips to help reduce triggers that cause unhealthy homes. 1) Vacuums—Payattention to what they promise.Investing in a good vacuum cleaner can makeall the difference. Many vacuums not only underperform but can do more harm than good. Look for a machine that captures dust and does not blow it back into the air. Dyson vacuums reduce allergen particles. They are asthma and allergy friendly, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 2) Air purifiers—The power of filters. Air purifiers that do not require filters produce ozone, a gas that can cause health problems and affect our lungs and respiratory system. Purifiers with high- efficiency particulate air (HEPA) Protect your home sweet home from Sick House Syndrome. filters are the best option, given they remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles. If your air purifier doesn’t have a filter, unplug it and go buy onethat does. 3) Mold—Don’t just kill mold; remove it. Since mold causes allergies, part of getting rid of household allergens is to get rid of mold. Soap, water and hydrogen peroxide can be used in cleaning the affected area. The Environmental Protection Agency states that dead mold maystill cause allergic reactions in some people, so for a healthy home, it is not enough to kill mold; it must also be removed. 4) Scents—As scent-free as you can be. Unplug air fresheners, wash clothes in nonfragrant laundry soap and minimize the use of perfume. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, fragrances cause 30 percent of all allergic reactions, and when exposed to perfume, more than 70 percent of allergy sufferers develop respiratory symptoms. 5) Household cleaners— Readthe label. Cleaning supplies can sometimes increase allergen levels. Reading the label to identify hazardous chemicals is important when looking for cleaning supplies. A healthy cleaning product will alwayslist all its ingredients.
