How to Celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week as a Homeowner

It’s Air Quality Awareness Week! This annual EPA-sponsored event is meant to promote the value of clean air and how to make it better wherever you are. When resting, the average adult breathes about 11,600 quarts of air daily. Everything that’s in the air goes into your lungs where it affects your health.

Outdoor Air Quality Issues

The biggest air quality challenge facing Orange County is ozone production. It occurs primarily in the summer when the strong sunshine reacts with automobile exhaust. Together, they form ozone, one of the most potent respiratory irritants. Fortunately, Orange County has met the federal standards for ozone management, but when they do issue warnings, abiding by their recommendations.

Inside Your Home

Your home’s air could be among the most polluted you breathe. Besides bringing home VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in products you buy, you may produce your own set of pollutants. If you use a gas stove without using the exhaust fan or run your HVAC system with clogged filters, the air quality inside your home will deteriorate.

Why not start Air Quality Awareness Week with a commitment to improve your home’s air quality all year long by:

• Limiting the number of VOCs you use indoors. VOCs come from products made from hydrocarbons and are known to cause minor to serious health problems. Many home improvement products contain VOCs, as well as cleaning solutions. Perfumes in candles, air sprays, detergents and paper products have VOCs. Look for alternative products that indicate that they contain few or no VOCs.
• Check the condition of the air filter for your A/C and change it if necessary. If you’ve been using those thin fiberglass filters, consider using a pleated filter instead. An upgrade will trap smaller particles, reducing your exposure to pollen, mold spores, pet dander and dust mite waste.
• Run the fan while you cook if you have a gas stove.