According to the EPA, the air in American homes can be two to five times as polluted as the air outside. Factors such as soft furnishings with flame retardants, harsh cleaning products, and wood-pressed furniture all contribute to the plethora of tiny particles we cannot see, which have the potential to wreak havoc on our health. Poor indoor quality increases the risk of respiratory problems. If anyone in your home already has asthma or chronic breathing problems, you should consider certain design changes that can make a big difference in terms of health, wellbeing and improving your indoor air quality.
Choosing Low Emitting Furnishings
Your choice of something as simple as a lounge (or other soft furnishings) can impact your family’s health. Carpets and cabinets can also emit a plethora of substances and compounds – including formaldehyde and benzene. As stated in the Washington Post, four of the 10 top chemicals emitted by common furnishings are irritants. They can contribute to infections and chronic lung disease. Moreover, the issue goes beyond soft and wooden pieces and extends to construction materials as well. If you are building your house from scratch or renovating an existing structure, look for green certifications such as Cradle to Cradle and Declare when choosing paint, adhesives, flooring, and furniture.
Replacing Filters
In the same way that décor pieces are replaced with the arrival of new seasonal Pantones, so should the ‘hidden’ aspects of design – including air filters located behind entries in rooms and behind wall registers. HEPA filters are known to be ultra-efficient at filtering particles as tiny as 0.3 microns, but for those into minimalist design, they may best be kept to bedrooms and other private spaces. Hidden filters contained in HVAC systems and behind entries, if replaced when due and made of quality materials, can significantly reduced pollution levels within the home.
Simple Design Solutions can Make a Difference
Designing your home for optimal air quality involves a variety of measures, ranging from small to large. On the simplest scale, placing entry mats near every entrance point can lower the concentration of contaminants that enter your home. On a larger level, installing outside air intake locations for HVAC can help reduce pollutants and improve the breathability and smell of your indoor space. For outdoor air intakes, optimal filtration is key. This is especially true if you live in a busy urban area or one in which outdoor air quality is inferior to indoor air quality. Another big project that can wield major benefits is the installation of under-floor air systems, which supply fresh air within home dwellers’ breathing spaces.
Simple, uncluttered design can go a long way towards reducing toxic air in your home. Choosing solid wood or metal furniture pieces, or green soft furnishings, will help reduce VOC levels in your home. Regularly replacing ‘hidden filters’, meanwhile, will help ensure that clean air continually enters your home while keeping spaces free of bulky equipment.
Photo by Outsite Co on Unsplash
