| back and take a deep breath. Feels great, doesn't | | | | irritations, breathing difficulties, and fatigue. If you |
| it? With the winter season well upon us, it is time | | | | must install new carpet, have the work done in |
| to stop and think about the quality of the air you | | | | the summer…when you are on vacation. |
| are breathing. Air quality issues do not get the | | | | Along with new furnishings, people often try to |
| same attention in the winter months as they | | | | take advantage of the time they are spending |
| might in the summer, but that does not mean | | | | indoors by repainting the interior of their home. |
| that they do not exist. In fact, a number of | | | | This, too, can be a significant source of indoor |
| studies have shown that indoor air quality is often | | | | pollution. If you are considering some winter |
| worse in the winter. | | | | redecorating, try to find a quality paint that does |
| This happens for a number of reasons, the most | | | | not contain volatile organic compounds. Otherwise, |
| obvious of which is the fact that we spend so | | | | it might be prudent to wait until the summer |
| much time indoors in the winter. During the | | | | comes. In the case of VOC's, opening the |
| summer time, most people open all of their doors | | | | windows in your home will not reduce the impact |
| and windows to increase the flow of fresh air into | | | | these chemicals can have on your health. These |
| their home. In the winter, we are all so | | | | chemicals are often emitted at very low levels, |
| preoccupied with staying warm that fresh air is | | | | for a very long time. |
| often an afterthought. There are a number of | | | | There are countless people who love nothing |
| good reasons to air out your home, even in the | | | | more than to curl up in front of a roaring fireplace |
| freezing winter months. | | | | to stay warm and cozy during the colder months. |
| A lot of people purchase new home furnishings in | | | | Fireplaces and woodstoves can have a |
| the winter, to improve on the level of comfort in | | | | detrimental impact on the air quality in your home. |
| their homes. This can be problematic, especially in | | | | Your furnace, wood stove, and/or fireplace should |
| the case of new carpeting and upholstery. A | | | | be properly maintained and serviced annually. |
| great majority of the carpets and upholstery on | | | | When they are not functioning properly, fireplaces |
| the market emit toxic substances known as | | | | can be a source of poisonous carbon monoxide |
| volatile organic compounds, which are a | | | | and formaldehyde. Play it safe, and be sure to |
| by-product of the manufacturing process. Volatile | | | | maintain your appliances annually. Your health and |
| organic compounds are a suspected cause of | | | | wellbeing may depend on it. |
| eye, nose, and throat irritations, headaches, skin | | | | |