A variety of common, everyday items in your home are polluting the air you breathe. Here are three products that aren’t doing your air quality any favors.
AIR FRESHENERS
Air fresheners provide a pleasing fragrance, but they’re not really doing anything to “freshen” your air. In fact, they’re contributing volatile organic compounds, which are chemicals that turn into vapors — hence their health risks.
Healthier alternative: Make a stovetop potpourri for a subtle, all-natural fragrance. Experiment with various ingredients, such as lemon and rosemary to give your home a fresh, springtime aroma.
CANDLES
Candles are popular for their smell and ambiance, but they also release toxins such as toluene and benzene. The problem is most commonly associated with paraffin candles, which are the most popular kind.
Healthier alternative: Opt for natural candles such as soy, beeswax, and coconut. They not only smell great, but they burn longer than paraffin wax.
PRINTERS
Your home-office laser printer releases high concentrations of very fine particles every time you print, so use it sparingly.
Even worse are 3D printers. Small and dangerous particles are emitted during the printing process. These particles are a byproduct of melting plastic, and they can be toxic to human health when inhaled.
Healthier alternatives: Print only black-and-white documents, as color laser printing produces more emissions. In the case of a 3D printer, ensure the space has adequate ventilation, lower the nozzle temperature and purchase low-emission filaments.
Bottom line: Hagerstown Heating & Cooling wants to ensure you’re breathing the healthiest air. In addition to limiting the use of these products, maintaining clean air ducts will vastly improve your indoor air quality. For a professional duct cleaning, contact us at (240) 366-0329.
