Seniors, including those in Mathis, TX, are more susceptible to the adverse effects of poor indoor air quality. Whether your elderly family members are at home or in a senior living facility, it’s your responsibility to protect them from these harmful effects. Read on to discover how to improve IAQ for your elderly family members.
Focus On Humidity
Excess moisture is among the leading causes of poor IAQ in many Mathis, TX, homes. High humidity levels can be uncomfortable for your seniors. Not only that, but excess moisture encourages the growth of biological contaminants.
Failure to address the IAQ problems quickly can result in respiratory problems, skin conditions and other health concerns. Excess humidity can result from the weather, lack of ventilation, running water, leaks and cooking. Fortunately, you can do a lot to control humidity for your older family members.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners should maintain their humidity levels between 30% and 50%. To maintain ideal humidity levels for seniors, you should get the right humidification products. Above all, call us to schedule a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment to determine the cause of poor IAQ.
Don’t Use Cheap Air Purifiers
An air purifier should filter the air to remove these pollutants and contaminants. Unfortunately, cheap air purifiers might not work as well as expected. These inexpensive purifiers might emit high ozone levels, exposing your loved ones to allergies, lung damage and sleep problems.
Avoid Polluting Products
Unfortunately, many of the home products your senior family members use contribute to IAQ problems. These products include:
- Paints.
- Adhesives.
- Fuels, gasoline and solvents.
- Cleaners.
- Pesticides.
- Building products.
These products contain volatile organic compounds. Although most VOCs are safe, some cause dizziness and headaches. Additionally, some lead to eye, throat and nose irritation.
Long-term exposure to harmful VOCs might also cause other serious diseases. As a result, it’s best to encourage your seniors to use products with low levels of VOCs.
Encourage Your Seniors to Keep Plants in Their Homes
Encouraging your elderly parents and other family members to add plants and flowers to their homes can also improve indoor air quality. Not only that, but flowers will add life and beauty to their homes. Plants can enhance IAQ by filtering out harmful toxins from the air.
When choosing plants for your seniors, remember to select low-maintenance varieties. This way, your loved ones don’t have to spend too much time and energy caring for the plants. Also, buy plants that are good at filtering out toxins.
Once you buy the plants, place them in areas that receive bright indirect light. Moreover, avoid areas with airborne particles and dust. Don’t forget to water and prune the plants regularly to keep them healthy.
Use Natural Ventilation
Opening the doors and the windows can provide fresh air and reduce indoor air contaminants and pollutants. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to keep them open throughout the year. That is why you should use different types of natural ventilation to improve IAQ.
You should also ensure that all the rooms have proper ventilation. Take your time to make sure the vents and exhaust fans in these areas are working correctly.
Dust and Vacuum Regularly
Indoor air contains high levels of allergens, dust and other particles. If left unattended, these particles can lead to asthma attacks and allergies. As a result, it’s advisable to regularly vacuum and clean to protect your loved ones from these pollutants and contaminants.
If your elderly family members are increasingly suffering from colds and allergies, it’s best to talk to the experts. Contact our experienced indoor air quality specialists at Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning Co. to find out how our professional indoor air quality services and products can improve the air for your senior family members.
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