Construction Project Management Services and Construction Books
  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog | Construction Management
  • Site Map
  • Blog | Home Improvement
  • Index of construction articles
  • Useful Links
  • Index Home Improvement

Is the air quality in your home harming your health and your family's health?

5/8/2019

0 Comments

 

Are you always tired, perhaps you have a rash or breathing problems - it could be caused by your home

PictureImage courtesy of Phaitoon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The air we breathe could have a severe impact on your health and the health of your family. Some homes have poor air quality. This could be caused by a variety of problems including:
  • A lack of fresh air - ensure that rooms are well ventilated. Even in winter regularly open rooms to allow fresh air in.
  • Air-conditioning filters aren't regularly cleaned. Not only does this reduce the efficiency of the air-conditioner but it also means that the air from the air-conditioner is passing through the dirty filters recirculating the fumes and possible poisons trapped in the filters.
  • Mould growing in the house, possibly in bathrooms, in walls and roof spaces. Mould releases spores into the air which will cause illness. Mould grows in damp and poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Some building materials, paints and glues release volatile gasses which are dangerous to our health and which could inhibit growing brains in young children. I'm sure we've all experienced walking into a newly painted room, or a room with a newly laid carpet tile - the fumes can be very overpowering and we want to get out as quickly as possible. Know what materials are incorporated into your building.
  • Some cooking fumes - particularly from some oils - are poisonous when breathed in regularly.
  • Poorly fitted gas appliances could leak dangerous gases.
  • Open flames consume oxygen making it harder to breathe and the flames release gases and in particular carbon dioxide. Ensure rooms with open fire places are ventilated.
  • Some household cleaning chemicals release fumes and volatile gasses. Use chemicals sparingly and only in ventilated spaces. Know what chemicals are in the products you use.
  • Insect sprays and poisons for vermin are often highly toxic. Always ventilate areas well after these products have been used. Stay out of the room until the fumes have dispersed.
  • A large build up of bird, rat or bat excrement in roofs can release toxic spores into the air in houses. Always take care when working in roof spaces to ensure you wear a suitable breathing mask.
  • Some furniture contains glue, or are covered in synthetic fabrics and coatings, which release toxic fumes.
  • Fumes from traffic outside your house could be entering your home. Diesel fumes are responsible for many illnesses and cause brain damage. Living near some factories, and particularly oil refineries, could mean that you and your family are exposed to toxic fumes.

Ensure your home is safe

​There are many fumes from everyday building and household products which can cause breathing difficulties, allergies, and even some products that are linked to cancer, learning difficulties, sleep disorders, Alzheimer, and dementia. Your health is important, don't take risks with it. Understand the products you are using and ensure all rooms in your house are well ventilated.
​
For more on the impacts of poor air quality read this BBC article Why Indoor Air Quality Matters to our Bodies and our Brains.
Picture
Design your home so that it's safe for you and your family. For more home design tips and insights read  An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home 
​
© 2019 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you.
    'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' are my latest books. packed with tips and information to ensure your home construction project is a success. Get your copy today from Amazon and other online stores.

    Picture
    Also available from:
    ​​Amazon Au, 
    Amazon DE, 
    Amazon ES, 
    Amazon CA,
    Amazon IT, 
    Amazon FR, 
    Amazon NL,
    ​Amazon India
    and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' ​
    Picture

    Archives

    February 2025
    January 2025
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    We welcome genuine comments, especially comments that add additional information to the subject matter in the article. We however reserve the right to remove inappropriate comments, which includes comments that have nothing to do with the subject, comments that include inappropriate language, and comments that are an advertisement for a product or company, or which include an advertising link. Comments must be in English. We will not enter into discussion on why a particular comment was removed.

Construction Books

Successful Construction Project management
Building a Successful Construction Company
Construction Claims: A Short Guide for Contractors
Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
​
Build and Renovate Your Home With Your Eyes Wide Open
Book Reviews

Construction services

Construction Management Services
Paul Netscher
Construction Management Blog
​Home Improvement Blog

Contact
Developing Successful Construction Project Managers.

Building Successful Construction Companies.
30 years of construction project management experience
  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
  • Construction Management Services
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog | Construction Management
  • Site Map
  • Blog | Home Improvement
  • Index of construction articles
  • Useful Links
  • Index Home Improvement