Will Cleaner Indoor Air Help Us Live Longer?

Cleaner, pollutant-free air adds almost 5 months to our lives. So say the results of an interesting study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study, headed by an epidemiologist at Brigham Young University (BYU), tracked the correlation between particulate pollution levels and life expectancy over 2 decades in 51 U.S. cities. Researchers say it’s the first to illustrate that reducing air pollution can translate into a longer lifespan.

During the course of the research, which spanned from 1978 to 2001, 51 metropolitan U.S. cities reduced their pollution levels by one-third, slashing the amount of small airborne particles from 21 micrograms per cubic meter to 14 micrograms per cubic meter. All the while, the life expectancy in these cities saw an average increase of 2.7 years, from 74.3 to 77 years of age. According to the findings, as much as 4.8 months of this increase can be attributed to cleaner air. Although environmental health experts point out that BYU’s report doesn’t exactly prove that cleaner air contributes to a longer life, many agree that it makes a strong scientific argument to continue reducing air pollution.

Residents and office-dwellers should note that reducing the amount of harmful airborne particles indoors is just as important as tackling them outdoors. After all, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the air inside our homes and buildings is roughly 10 times more polluted than the air outside. While we may not have a lot of control over the amount of pollution we encounter outdoors, we can definitely control how much is present in our indoor environments day after day.

Things like regular house cleaning, vacuuming with a CRI certified vacuum, cleaning your air ducts and reducing exposure to cleaning chemicals all will help improve your indoor air quality.

Mothers Know Best

A newly released national survey of mothers found that keeping their homes clean was the best means of protecting their families from the germs that cause colds and flu. Likewise, there is a general recognition that toys can be a significant source of germs. The Alliance for Consumer Education's (ACE) nationwide Germ Study examined mothers' overall awareness of how germs that cause colds and flu are spread. It then assessed their views as to the most effective means of preventing and / or containing colds and flu.

For example, in the 2007 survey 32% of respondents felt that keeping their house clean was the most effective means of protecting against colds and flu. This was the Number One response.

"The ACE 2007 Germs survey clearly illustrates that mothers understand the threat of exposure to those germs that can cause colds and flu and are taking steps to minimize that threat and protect their families," said Joseph M. Healy, Chairman of the Board, Alliance for Consumer Education. "One of the simplest, most effective things that people can do to minimize the risks from germs is to frequently wash their hands and clean their homes and places of work on a regular basis. It is gratifying to see that the percentage of moms who recognize the importance of home cleaning continues to rise. At the same time, still more consumer education needs to be done to continue raising overall awareness of the importance of home cleaning."

For those few still cleaning their own homes, keep up the good work. For the rest of you who have discovered the advantages of a professionally cleaned home - congratulations! You are taking the necessary steps to maintain a healthy home for you and your family.

Common Toxins Found In Cleaning Products

With the holidays coming, you may be inspired to do some extra cleaning in preparation for the in-laws arrival. Before you reach under the sink you may want to understand the chemicals and products you might encounter. In case you were wondering what lurks in those everyday cleaning products found in the market today, here is a list of toxins you may or may not be aware of.

Ammonia (in many glass cleaners) Can cause headaches.

Formaldehyde (in many different products) Suspected human carcinogen and acts as a strong irritant to eyes, throat, and lungs.

Hydrochloric acid or sodium acid sulfate (in some toilet bowl cleaners) Can burn the skin and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach burns if swallowed.

Nitrobenzene (in some furniture and floor polishes) Can cause vomiting, and death. This toxin is associated with cancer and birth defects.

Petroleum Distillates (in some metal polishes) Short-term exposure can lead to temporary eye clouding and longer exposure can damage the nervous system.

Phenol and cresol (in many disinfectants) Can cause dizziness.

Sodium Hypochlorite (in chlorine bleach) Fumes cause eye and lung irritation. Long term exposure harmful to lungs. If mixed with ammonia, this releases toxic chloramine gas, which may cause asthmatic symptoms, respiratory problems or even death.

butoxyethanol also known as ethylene glycol butyl ether (used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners) It can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage.

Here's a solution to exposing yourself and your family to this potentially hazardous chemicals: Hire a professional cleaning service to maintain your home and throw those toxic cleaners in the trash. A service such as Partners In Grime will create a healthy home by using environmentally cleaning products and equipment.

Partners In Grime uses products from companies such as:

IPAX Cleanogel, Inc. ipax.com
Portionpac Sustainable Solutions portionpaccorp.com
Core Products coreproductsco.com
Siamons Intl. concrobium.com