Lorene Bartos: Indoor air quality focus of awareness month

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October is National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month. We need to ask ourselves — are household products contributing to our indoor air pollution? We need to be aware of how the products used around the house affect the air quality.

Indoor air quality can be impacted by some chemicals used for personal care and grooming, for hobbies, or to clean, protect, maintain and decorate the home and its furnishings. Products can release chemicals into the air during use, as the product dries and cures or as the product ages.

Examples of household products that could create an indoor air quality problem include: adhesives, caulking, cosmetics, disinfectants, paints, strippers, waxes, air fresheners, cleaning product, degreasers, hobby products, pesticides and varnishes.

Begin to control home indoor air quality by the choice of chemicals and products used. Use the least amount of a product to get the job done. Read labels, follow safety precautions and contact the manufacturer if you have questions. Other guidelines include:

n Do not use a potentially hazardous chemical unless absolutely necessary.

n Use household chemicals and products only for their intended purpose.

n Always use products according to manufacturer’s directions.

n Choose product packaging that reduces the chance of spills and leaks, and is childproof if children live or visit in the home.

n Keep household products in original containers so safety information and directions for use are with the product.

n Always use household products in well-ventilated areas.

Reduce the need for potentially hazardous household chemicals by practicing preventative maintenance:

n Clean spills and stains quickly.

n Remove food wastes promptly.

n Control excess moisture, for example: Prevent standing water, such as drains from air conditioner or refrigerator drip pans. Fix leaks, drips and seepage problems. Use exhaust fans during high moisture activities.

Some chemicals used in the home contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

VOCs are organic solvents that easily evaporate into the air. VOCs can be toxic and harmful to the environment. Many products containing VOCs can be dangerous or flammable, especially if used improperly. Water-based products tend to be less hazardous to indoor air than products that are based on organic solvents.

Examples of household products that usually contain VOCs include: Wood or furniture strippers; wood cleaners and waxes; turpentine;paints and paint thinners; wood finishes, such as varnish, shellac, stain and oil; glues and adhesives; dry-cleaning fluid and spot removers; leather care products, mothballs, deodorizers and air fresheners

Pesticides are a poison used to kill or repel. Examples of pesticides are: disinfectants, fungicides, herbicides,  insecticides, rodenticides.

Pesticides require strict adherence to safety practices. Use pesticides only as directed by the product manufacturer.

Some products are considered to be alternatives to harsh chemicals and are labeled as “natural” or “alternative” products. When selecting these products consider the following:

n Is the product as effective, easy to use and convenient?

n Will the product be safe for the intended purpose?

n Are there directions for use and safety information?

n Is the product in safe packaging?

The important thing to remember with using these products in the home is to use them correctly and follow any safety precaution on the labels. No matter what the household chemical, never mix household products or chemicals together, unless specifically instructed. If products are mixed, additional toxic chemicals may be released into the air through chemical reaction. A common example is ammonia and chlorine bleach, which are found in many household cleaners. When mixed, they react to form a toxic gas.

Be aware of what is in the air and keep your home healthy.

Lorene Bartos is an extension educator with the University of Nebraska. She can be reached by telephone at (402) 441-7180; by mail at 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Lincoln, NE 68525; or by e-mail at lbartos1@unl.edu.