There is an old saying that a man's home is his castle. This implies that the home is some sort of fortress; a haven from the dangers of the outside world. And rightly so. The home should be the place where you feel safe. However, there is potential that your home could be harboring dangers that you are not aware of. One way it can do this is with the quality of air.
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.
The materials used in the construction of the home itself could be a potential cause of dangerous air. The materials that come most readily to mind would likely be lead and asbestos. These are some of the most dangerous materials used in homes, but thankfully, the regulations on them are far more strict than they were in past times. But if you own an older home, it would be a good idea to get it inspected.
Another common source of air contaminants would be soft fabrics. The fibers of carpets, blankets, curtains and furniture are particularly adept at holding onto dust and allergens, releasing them back into the air when used or moved. Regular, thorough cleaning can help mitigate this problem.
Things degrade over time. Matter can only last for so long before it decays and its parts are used to make something new. This cycle of decay and replacement is a good metaphor for maintaining quality air. Keeping a steady flow of fresh air to replace the stale air is one of the keys to keeping your home fresh and healthy. Open windows provide access to outdoor air, but the effects are limited and not consistent year-round. A more efficient option would be to find a system that pumps fresh, filtered air into each room of the house.
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.
The materials used in the construction of the home itself could be a potential cause of dangerous air. The materials that come most readily to mind would likely be lead and asbestos. These are some of the most dangerous materials used in homes, but thankfully, the regulations on them are far more strict than they were in past times. But if you own an older home, it would be a good idea to get it inspected.
Another common source of air contaminants would be soft fabrics. The fibers of carpets, blankets, curtains and furniture are particularly adept at holding onto dust and allergens, releasing them back into the air when used or moved. Regular, thorough cleaning can help mitigate this problem.
Things degrade over time. Matter can only last for so long before it decays and its parts are used to make something new. This cycle of decay and replacement is a good metaphor for maintaining quality air. Keeping a steady flow of fresh air to replace the stale air is one of the keys to keeping your home fresh and healthy. Open windows provide access to outdoor air, but the effects are limited and not consistent year-round. A more efficient option would be to find a system that pumps fresh, filtered air into each room of the house.
About the Author:
Air is vital to your body, and it will use whatever is nearby. Making sure that air is up to snuff can have a positive long-term effect on your health. Visit Hayward Healthy Home for more advice on how to maintain a healthy environment.
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