Donate to Raghavendra Brindavan
Download
Tamil Fonts
|
 Maintaining good indoor air quality in the home and workplace is an important step in encouraging good health and reducing allergens. Because we spend 90 percent of our time indoors, we must do everything possible to improve the quality of the air we breathe. What affects our indoor air quality?
Interior building materials like wood, particle board and laminates, furniture and wall coverings, people and pets, cleaning substances, the condition of heating and air conditioning, life activities like smoking and cooking, dust and dust mites, and of course the outdoor air. Interior finishes and building materials have the potential to affect indoor air quality because they emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Scientific studies have shown that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment, and these emissions dissipate very quickly - within 48 to 72 hours after installation with good ventilation.
 Carpet's holding characteristics actually make it a floor covering of choice for allergy sufferers. House dust, pollen and dust mites are a constant challenge in the home. They are found in the highest concentration in mattresses and bedding. The key in preventing reactions to these pollutants is to keep the allergen particles from getting into the breathing zone. Gravity causes airborne particles to fall to the floor and the benefit of a carpeted floor is that the dust, dirt and particles are retained in the carpet until they can be removed by vacuuming. It is the airborne particles that affect those sensitive individuals, not the particles that are held in the carpet. Therefore, the holding characteristics of a carpet, as compared to a smooth surface floor, keep particles from circulating around in the room due to foot traffic and airflow.
 Vacuuming is the single most effective and economical means of keeping floor coverings clean and removing dust and allergens from the indoor environment. It has been proven that 90 percent to 95 percent of all dry soil by weight can be removed from carpet by routine vacuuming. In addition to vacuuming, keeping the humidity low (below 55 percent) and using heating, air conditioning and possibly a dehumidifier is important. In an office environment, dust, pollen, skin particles and other office material particles circulate in the air and must also be removed by routine maintenance and effective ventilation.
(Based on Net resources)
Continued...
Published on 12th
June 2002
More Articles
|
|
