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Too often we forget how the simple act of opening a window can do wonders for our health and well-being.
Everyone loves the fresh outdoors-we just forget to let it in sometimes.
You can find a lot of information online about indoor air quality, but it's interesting to note that a leading medical site listing the top five ways to improve your home's air quality advises readers to let the fresh air in.
Why? Because when you open windows on a regular basis, you are preventing toxic chemicals from building up in your home.
Toxic chemicals? In my house? You bet.
In fact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is so concerned about "indoor air pollution" in homes and office buildings, it provides a nifty little booklet about the subject.
"So what's lurking in your home?" The Culprits The answer is straightforward: indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air.
And there are, surprisingly, plenty of these emission sources.
There are the obvious ones, such as oil, gas, kerosene and coal, as well as the smoke and fumes from tobacco products.
Less obvious sources are some building materials and furnishings, such as furniture made of certain pressed wood products.
Even wet or damp carpets emit airborne pollutants.
Just take a tour of your kitchen and bathroom if you still have doubts.
Household cleaning products, like air fresheners, maintenance products such as pesticides, personal care products, like perfumes or aerosol, even some products that we use for crafts, hobbies or redecorating projects, like paint solvents and paint strippers-these are the most common culprits.
Moreover, the use of unvented, malfunctioning or improperly adjusted gas stoves, furnaces or space heaters can also contribute to a home's build-up of toxic chemicals, carbon monoxide among them.
But before becoming too alarmed, bear in mind that the age of the appliance in question and whether it is properly maintained will determine the potential hazard level.
Rest assured, your properly adjusted gas stove is probably not emitting significant amounts of carbon monoxide.
And remember, not all pollutants in the average home are highly toxic or hazardous to your health.
Some may pose health problems, while others may simply affect one's comfort level.
Problem is, however, that concentrations of chemicals can remain in the air for long periods of time.
Why Natural Ventilation is Good For You & Your Home "Natural ventilation" simply means air that moves through opened windows and doors.
The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the "air exchange rate.
" When there is little natural ventilation, the air exchange rate is low, so pollutant levels increase because there is not enough "infiltration.
" Simply put, outdoor air effectively dilutes emissions from indoor sources.
Those indoor air pollutants are carried out of the home through your window.
So open your windows regularly and often.
Of course, if you have a family member with pollen allergies, you will want to keep windows closed during the peak pollen season and keep your rooms ventilated with a filtered air-conditioning system instead.
However, on cool days, when the first chill of fall nips the air, a few windows open for short periods of time will serve you and your family well come winter by de-toxing your home the natural way.
The benefit of an open window is not an old wives' tale.
It's a scientific fact.
So enjoy the fresh air.
Of course, properly installed, energy-efficient and easy-to-operate windows will make the open window experience all the more enjoyable for you and your family.
If you are replacing windows this year, choose sliding windows for their ease of use and install them in rooms where you feel you would need them most.
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