You have likely heard the saying about a man's home being his castle. This metaphor suggests that a house is a type of fortress. In other words, it is a refuge in which the owner can take shelter from the dangers of the world outside. People should rightly expect to feel safe in their home. But some homes contain invisible threats that could be working against the health of you and your family. The quality of air could be one such threat.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs portrays what a human needs as a pyramid, starting with the most basic at the bottom and becoming more complex nearing the top. The bottom includes physical needs, such as food, water, sleep and air. If any one of these needs were denied long enough, we would be unable to live. However, we are able to for weeks without food and days without water or sleep. But going more than a few minutes without air would make us just as dead. And just as food or drink of poor-quality would have a negative impact on our health, the effects of breathing poor-quality air would manifest in time. Security of health is one of the needs on the next level of the pyramid. How can you be secure in the health of your environment?
Living in a home with bad air quality has proven and noticeable impacts on your health. If you have lived in a home with such air quality, you have probably felt these impacts firsthand, even if you were not aware of their source. Persistent headaches or symptoms that feel like cold or flu could be traced back to air quality. A human body can take quite a bit of punishment, but exposure to seemingly minor hazards for long periods of time can cause a slow, but steady, decline of health. And most people spend the most amount of time in their home. If the environment there is not up to snuff, it could have a cumulative, negative effect on your health.
Unhealthy air come stem from a variety of sources, but one of the most dangerous could be the building materials of the house itself. Asbestos and lead can be very toxic and have long-lasting negative health effects. While modern regulations keep them out of new homes, some older homes may still contain such hazards. If you have an older home, getting it inspected would be wise.
Dust and allergens are the most common cause of minor health issues that come from poor air. Cloth surfaces have a tendency to catch these floating particles in their fibers, kicking them back into the air when they are handled or used. For this reason, regularly cleaning the carpets, upholstery and curtains is recommended.
Nothing lasts forever, they say. Everything goes on a cycle of decay and renewal. This seems to be true of air quality as well. The most effective way to keep your home filled with healthy air is through the mantra "Out with the old, in the with the new". Keeping a steady flow of fresh air in the home is vital to keeping the air quality optimal. Opening windows is a good start, but that often only works for a few rooms and is not possible during certain seasons. What would work better is a system to filter and circulate air throughout the home.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs portrays what a human needs as a pyramid, starting with the most basic at the bottom and becoming more complex nearing the top. The bottom includes physical needs, such as food, water, sleep and air. If any one of these needs were denied long enough, we would be unable to live. However, we are able to for weeks without food and days without water or sleep. But going more than a few minutes without air would make us just as dead. And just as food or drink of poor-quality would have a negative impact on our health, the effects of breathing poor-quality air would manifest in time. Security of health is one of the needs on the next level of the pyramid. How can you be secure in the health of your environment?
Living in a home with bad air quality has proven and noticeable impacts on your health. If you have lived in a home with such air quality, you have probably felt these impacts firsthand, even if you were not aware of their source. Persistent headaches or symptoms that feel like cold or flu could be traced back to air quality. A human body can take quite a bit of punishment, but exposure to seemingly minor hazards for long periods of time can cause a slow, but steady, decline of health. And most people spend the most amount of time in their home. If the environment there is not up to snuff, it could have a cumulative, negative effect on your health.
Unhealthy air come stem from a variety of sources, but one of the most dangerous could be the building materials of the house itself. Asbestos and lead can be very toxic and have long-lasting negative health effects. While modern regulations keep them out of new homes, some older homes may still contain such hazards. If you have an older home, getting it inspected would be wise.
Dust and allergens are the most common cause of minor health issues that come from poor air. Cloth surfaces have a tendency to catch these floating particles in their fibers, kicking them back into the air when they are handled or used. For this reason, regularly cleaning the carpets, upholstery and curtains is recommended.
Nothing lasts forever, they say. Everything goes on a cycle of decay and renewal. This seems to be true of air quality as well. The most effective way to keep your home filled with healthy air is through the mantra "Out with the old, in the with the new". Keeping a steady flow of fresh air in the home is vital to keeping the air quality optimal. Opening windows is a good start, but that often only works for a few rooms and is not possible during certain seasons. What would work better is a system to filter and circulate air throughout the home.
About the Author:
Air is vital to your body, and it will take in whatever is available around it. Making sure that air is up to snuff can have a positive long-term effect on your health. Visit Hayward Healthy Home for more tips on having a home with healthy air.
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