How Polluted is the Air in Your Home?
@DeborahDiane (40044)
Laguna Woods, California
September 20, 2018 2:16pm CST
I just read a Reader's Digest article about how the products we use in our home could literally be poisoning us! Many homes are so polluted that the indoor air is far worse than outside air pollution.
There were eleven products, in particular, which could be releasing pollutants into your home. If you use them, you may want to keep your windows open as often as possible ... or try to find less polluting products.
You might also want to spend more time getting fresh outdoor air, at the ocean, in the mountains, or in a park or the forest, when possible.
I thought everyone would like to know what those products listed by Reader's Digest are:
Paint stored in your home or garage
Aerosol sprays - from hair spray to bug spray
Cleaning products - use vinegar or baking soda and water instead
Dry Cleaning hanging in your closet
Candles
Air fresheners
Your humidifier
Granite countertops - a minor source of radon
Wood burning fireplaces
Gas stoves
Air purifiers
If you want more details on how these products can harm the air quality in your home, you can read the full article yourself at:
https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/household-items-poisoning-your-air/?trkid=NL-RANDOM-092018&_cmp=readuprdus&_ebid=readuprdus9202018&_mid=243892&ehid=1D2ADF7FEF7EAF2D14AB8A6978C12C81AA76A2CC
10 people like this
10 responses
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Sep 18
@DianneN - That was my reaction, too. We have used most of the things on this list. However, I have the windows open often, spend time at the beach, and get lots of fresh air. I'm glad you like that picture. I took it in Laguna Beach a couple of years ago.
3 people like this
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
21 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane I thought the photo looked familiar! Still love it! Since I'm not home when the cleaning lady comes, I hope she lives a long time using those chemicals!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Sep 18
@DianneN - That is a good point. I'm afraid that people who use these chemicals on a daily basis are the most at risk from them. I hope she lives a long time, too!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457412)
• Switzerland
22 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane It is a long time we do not use aerosol sprays and the Swiss authorities have checked all the houses 10 years ago to check if there were "dangerous levels of radon". We know we are 100% safe for what concerns radon. I never burn candles because the fumes annoy my husband and I wash everything at home because dry cleaning is not "clean" at all. I know that a bit of pollution comes from our fireplace, but I like to see the wooden burning during the Christmas season.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Sep 18
@LadyDuck - It sounds like you are doing everything to keep your air quality high. We all are going to have a few pollutants inside, we just don't want to have too many at once.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Sep 18
@LadyDuck - Yes, it sounds like you are pretty safe. I don't think anyone completely avoids all those things. It is just important to be careful.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16518)
• China
21 Sep 18
Fortunately we just have a few of the products listed by Reader's Digest indoors.I think,besides those stuff,we should get rid of some toxic plants in the room ,such as the Monstera deliciosa and Anthurium.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthurium
Aroids and other genera in the Collection Take the Tour Now? Orchids The Exotic Rainforest Plants in the Exotic Rainforest Collection Monstera deliciosa Liebm. Monstera deliciosa Liebm. Two published variations: Monstera deliciosa vari
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16518)
• China
22 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane You are welcome!Not only that,but those plants releave carbon dioxide and take in oxygen from our rooms.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Sep 18
Wow! I did not realize that some types of plants could also pollute the inside of our home. Thanks for the information!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Sep 18
@changjiangzhibin89 - That is frightening info about those plants. We have to be careful what we put inside our homes, even plants.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29237)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Sep 18
Most of us would have to get rid of a lot of stuff to be safe by this definition.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29237)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane We open windows every day too as long as it is not smoky.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
27 Sep 18
@JamesHxstatic - Yes, those fires complicate things, don't they? Then, you have to decide if the outside air or the inside air is more polluted. Life gets complicated sometimes!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
25 Sep 18
@JamesHxstatic - I agree. I use a lot of those products and have granite countertops. However, I try to have my windows open for a while every day, which helps keep my air cleaner. Better safe than sorry!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325345)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Sep 18
Thanks very much for the list and I might do some more research on it myself. We only have four of the items so I'm quite pleased about that. We've never bothered with air fresheners or candles although I have candles in the house. I'm presuming it's only a problem if you're always lighting them.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Sep 18
@JudyEv - Yes, the candles are only a problem when they are lit. I have some of the items, myself, and I know it is impossible to completely avoid air pollution. It is just good to know the things we should keep to a minimum.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325345)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Sep 18
@DeborahDiane It's helpful isn't it? I wouldn't have had any idea about what was good or bad in this area of living.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Sep 18
@JudyEv - Yes, I think it is important to stay informed, even if we don't follow every single recommendation we read!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
18 Oct 18
@nela13 - Even if you do not get rid of them, you should only use them when you have to. In addition, you can reduce the indoor pollution by opening the windows in your house whenever you can.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Oct 18
@nela13 - I agree. I love having fresh air flow through my house!
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55702)
• Portugal
18 Oct 18
@DeborahDiane I open my windows everyday, no matter the weather, fresh air is essential.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
21 Sep 18
@jstory07 - You are welcome. I thought it was an interesting article.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (94778)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Sep 18
Keeping my fireplace lol. Only have a few of those things.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Sep 18
@wolfgirl569 - I think most of us enjoy our fireplaces. Just air your house out once in a while! LOL
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Oct 18
@Inlemay - I know what you mean! We think we are keeping everything clean and, instead, we are polluting the inside of our homes! We just can't win! LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40044)
• Laguna Woods, California
24 Sep 18
@Shiva49 - Keeping your windows open greatly reduces your risk of any problems.
1 person likes this
