• Acreca palm
• Aloe vera
• Spider plant
• Lady palm
• Dracaena
• Dwarf date palm
• Peace lily
• Ficus
• English ivy
• Boston fern
• Bamboo palm

*NOTE: some plants are toxic to pets and small children. For example, sago palms are toxic to both cats and dogs and all lily varietals are especially toxic to cats. Eating any kind of plant has potential health effects for your pets and children so please be sure to keep potted plants out of reach and only keep houseplants that are deemed non-toxic in your home.

 

Use Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another way to absorb toxicants and naturally purify your indoor air. It is an odorless, highly-absorptive substance made from various compounds like bamboo, wood or coconut shells. You can reactivate and recharge the charcoal in the sun for a couple of hours on a monthly basis to reuse it and compost it once it reaches the limit of its lifecycle, so it is eco-friendly as well. 

A study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that filters using activated carbon removed 60 to 70% of ozone from air compared to those without charcoal. In another study, activated carbon filters were found to be capable of removing up to 80% of volatile organic compounds and up to 30% of formaldehyde, a common air pollutant given off by fabrics and furniture. 

• Opt for organic coconut (affiliate link) or bamboo carbon charcoal (not coal).
• You can purchase deodorizer bags of charcoal like these or buy bulk charcoal (affiliate links) to distribute as needed.

 

Take Off Your Shoes 

Shoes can carry coal tar, pesticides, fungal spores, lead dust, pollen, industrial toxins and other irritants from outdoors into your home where they can recirculate in your indoor air. Studies show that placing an effective doormat to clean the bottom of shoes before entry or removing outdoor shoes in the house can significantly reduce the number of contaminants tracked inside.

• Place a shoe rack with a bench (affiliate link) at your door and get into the habit of always removing your outdoor shoes before entering your home.
• Enact a “no outdoor shoes in the house” policy and keep reusable, washable shoe covers at your door for guests.

 

Test for Radon

Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas which is produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is the number one cause of cancer among non-smokers, contributing to around 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. Some areas have more naturally-occurring deposits than others, although radon can be found all over the US. 

• Evaluate the risk of radon exposure in your home with this US Map of Radon Zones from the EPA.
• Since you cannot see or smell radon, you need to test your home for radon with a simple home test like this one (affiliate link). There are commercially available do-it-yourself test kits for both short- and long-term testing or you can hire a qualified tester to do the testing for you. The EPA recommends testing all homes below the third floor for radon and implementing home radon reduction systems if elevated levels are detected. 
• Radon in water may be released into the air when water is used for showering or other household purposes. If your water comes from a private well, you may also want to test your water supply for radon. 

 

Service Your Appliances

Poorly-maintained appliances like your furnace, space heater, hot water heater, natural gas heater, dryer or stove and other fuel-burning appliances can leak carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide which pollute the air inside your home.

• To reduce your exposure, have your appliances serviced per the manufacturer’s recommendations to reduce potential indoor air pollution and maintain safe function. 

What is your favorite way to improve the quality of the air inside your home?

Do you use an air purifier?

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This post was shared with: Home Matters Link Party, Healthy and Happy Living Link Party, Friendship Friday Blog Party, SITS Saturday Sharefest