The Breathe Easy Blog

How safe is your home? According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, 8 million people die every year globally because of air pollution. Among these, 4.3 million die because of air pollution from household sources. ¹

Things you use every day around the house tend to go unnoticed over time. They just blend into the background of everyday life. But have you ever actually taken the time to read the labels on the products you buy and use? Do you know what kinds of chemicals are released into the air when you use them? You don't have to be a home chemist to have potentially dangerous chemicals in the air around you.

Understanding air quality is the first step in improving your home's indoor air. Air quality refers to the condition of the air surrounding us and is determined by the presence of both natural and human-made pollutants.

In short the answer is "no", there are no safe air pollution levels. Two recent British Medical Journal published studies looked at the elements that make up air pollution and their affects on the human body. One study focused on data from 60 million people over the age of 65 over a three year period. The study concluded that participants exposed to fine particles in the PM2.5 range had a higher risk of hospital admission as well as higher risks for other issues like cardiovascular disease.

Your home may feel like a safe haven, but indoor air can harbor pollutants from everyday sources like cleaning products, cooking, and even your furniture. Here's what contributes to household air pollution and practical steps you can take to breathe easier.

Lung cancer is not the only cancerous threat related to air pollution. Research suggests that there are other cancers leading to increased mortality rates, that are also linked to air pollution. Indoor air quality and air pollution are not only linked to lung cancer, but exposure to poor air can lead to kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Air pollution is one of the leading global risk factors for death, and the air inside your home may be worse than what's outside. Here's what you need to know about VOCs, particulate matter, and practical steps to breathe easier.

Are you in the process of building a new home? Maybe you are remodeling your current home into your dream home. Have you considered how the chemicals being used will affect your health?