With the arrival of summer we often hear of how poor the outdoor air is caused by smog and the burning of fossil fuels. But few realize that the air in their homes could be just as bad. Some of the contaminants are biological from such things as animal dander, dust mites, bacteria, viruses and molds. Others are from chemicals such as household cleaning products, pesticides and smoking. Your home should be a safe and healthy place and reducing the number of contaminants in your home can have great health benefits.

Apart from those who suffer from allergies caused by biological contaminants, chemical contaminants can have the most detrimental effects on our health. These usually are in the form of a gas and therefore are not filtered out of your home’s air by way of your furnace’s air filter. Special filter media must be used such as activated charcoal or activated alumina and these filters require special installation. However filtering your home’s air is not the most efficient way of reducing the chemical contaminants in your home.

The best way is to stop the contaminants at the source before they have a chance to enter your home. For example carbon monoxide (a dangerous, odorless gas) can be eliminated by having your appliances inspected such as your, furnace and hot water tank to ensure that they are functioning properly. This should also be followed up by installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. If carbon monoxide is detected, open windows and doors to ventilate the house.

Household cleaners can represent a large number of chemical gases that are released into your home. Things like bleach and ammonia can give off strong odors and if mixed together can produce a deadly gas. Spray aerosols and deodorizers should not be used as a substitute for finding and eliminating the source of foul odors in your home. For most instances a biodegradable substitute for your cleaners can be found at your local grocery or hardware store that can be just as effective.

Know what you are putting on your body like shampoos and deodorants. These are full of fragrances and perfumes which some people can be sensitive to. Even clothes that are dry cleaned can have odors from the solvents used to clean them. These can aired out outside to remove these before wearing them.

Some chemical contaminants can be eliminated by stopping such activities as smoking in the home. Homes will wood stoves or fireplaces should be monitored to ensure that smoke is not entering the home. It is also a good idea to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms that have fireplaces or wood stoves as a precaution. Even the burning of candles produces carbon monoxide gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and soot.

While it is virtually impossible to eliminate all potential sources of the chemical contaminants within a home, you can take steps to stop or control most of them. This will help to make your home a healthy and save environment and help your family breathe a breath for fresh indoors.