Many people are sensitive to household cleaners and chemicals in common use today. Following is an excerpt from recent research done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), published July 2006.

New research shows that a chemical compound found in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs and other deodorizing products, may be harmful to the lungs. Human population studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, found that exposure to a volatile organic compound (VOC), called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB) may cause modest reductions in lung function. “Even a small reduction in lung function may indicate some harm to the lungs,” said NIEHS researcher Stephanie London, M.D., lead investigator on the study. “The best way to protect yourself, especially children who may have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, is to reduce the use of products and materials that contain these compounds.”

There are two primary ways to deal with potentially harmful chemicals in the home:

1. Remove the source

For many common chemicals, lowering their levels in the home can be accomplished by eliminating the use of certain products and, if needed, substituting "green" products. In some cases, removing sources of chemicals in the home can be difficult or prohibitively expensive. For example, formaldehyde is a very harmful chemical in certain concentrations and is used in furniture, wood flooring, construction materials, and drapes. In this case, dilution (as discussed below) may be the best answer.

Following are some suggestions on ways to reduce or eliminate the levels of chemicals in the home that may trigger asthma or allergies:

Air freshener

Commercial air fresheners, including many that are plugged into wall sockets, should be avoided if you wish to reduce chemical levels in your home. Instead, mix in a spray bottle one teaspoon baking powder soda, two tablespoons of white vinegar and two cups of clean water. After the foaming has stopped replace the spray top and shake well.

Ant repellent

Wipe down the affected area with a solution of half vinegar and half water to keep ants at bay.

Bottle cleanser

To remove sediment stains from bottles, jars and vases, half fill them with white vinegar and shake well. Leave for a few minutes, and then wash in the normal way.

Burnt pots and pans

Cover the burnt area with equal quantities of water and vinegar; bring to the boil, remove from heat and soak overnight.

Windows, mirrors, and glass

To clean glass, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water. To finish off, buff the surface with a clean dry cloth.

Carpet shampoo

Add one cup of vinegar to five litres of water. Clean the carpet with a soft brush dipped in the solution. Always test on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using.

Slimy sponges

Soak the sponge in one tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 570 ml (20 fluid ounces) of water for one hour. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.

Smelly drains

Boil 200ml (8 fluid ounzes) of vinegar and pour directly into the drain. Leave for ten minutes before using the drain.

Microwave ovens

Smells can be difficult to remove from a microwave oven, particularly fish. Try heating a quarter cup of vinegar diluted with one cup of water in the microwave.

Other green products
See http://www.simplepureclean.com

(Please note that the Indoor Air Alliance does not recommend or endorse any brand or model of household cleaner. The following information is provided as a convenience to the public.)

2. Dilute the chemicals in the air

In many situations the very framework and materials your home is made of may be a significant source of Indoor Air Pollution. Building materials such as particle board and OSB (Oriented Strand Board) are very common in construction today. Many types of materials contain formaldehyde, a known carcinogen and trigger for asthma and allergies. These materials “off-gas” (slowly disperse gases into the air) for 20 years or more. In this situation, the best solution is to dilute the concentration of these chemicals in the air by bringing in more fresh air using one of the following methods:

1. Open the windows

Advantages:

 • Inexpensive, no installation required

 • Can be used with central forced air or any other style of heating and cooling system

 • Little or no training required.

Disadvantages:

 • Allows dust, mold pollen and other potential triggers into the home

 • Little or no control over the amount of air allowed into the home

 • Increases energy bills significantly during heating or cooling season

2. Mechanical Ventilation Control systems

Advantages:

 • Brings in fresh air and exhausts stale air in a more controlled manner by adjusting the CFM (cubic feet per minute) rate

 • Less expensive to install than HRV solutions below

Disadvantages:

 • Little or no heat or cooling recovery. Increases energy bills.

 • Typically designed to work with central, forced air system.

3. Heat Recovery and Ventilation (HRV) systems

Advantages:

 • Variable volume of fresh air exchange, adequate for even largest homes
 • Exchanges much of the heat (or cold) with outside air
 • Reduce energy costs by conditioning the incoming air

 • Can have optional filtration system that filters incoming air

Disadvantages:

 • More expensive than other options to purchase and install

We recommend HRVs whenever possible. The following notes describe these systems in more detail.

A heat recovery ventilator can help make mechanical ventilation more cost effective by reclaiming energy from exhaust airflows. HRVs use heat exchangers to heat or cool incoming fresh air, recapturing 60 to 80 percent of the conditioned temperatures that would otherwise be lost. Models that exchange moisture between the two air streams are referred to as Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). ERVs are especially recommended in climates where cooling loads place strong demands on HVAC systems. However, keep in mind that ERVs are not dehumidifiers. They transfer moisture from the humid air stream (incoming outdoor air in the summer) to the exhaust air stream. But, the dessicant wheels used in many ERVs become saturated fairly quickly and the moisture transfer mechanism becomes less effective with successive hot, humid periods. In some cases, ERVs may be suitable in climates with very cold winters. If indoor relative humidity tends to be too low, what available moisture there is in the indoor exhaust air stream is transferred to incoming outdoor air.

Although some window or wall mounted units are available, HRVs and ERVs are most often designed as ducted whole-house systems. The heat exchanger is the heart of an HRV, usually consisting of a cube-shaped transfer unit made from special conductive materials. Incoming and outgoing airflows pass through different sides of the cube (but are not mixed), allowing conditioned exhaust air to raise or lower the temperature of incoming fresh air.

ERVs also allow the exchange of moisture to control humidity. This can be especially valuable in situations where problems may be created by extreme differences in interior and exterior moisture levels. For instance in cold, heating-dominated climates, better air flow and the introduction of humidity to the indoor environment can help control wintertime window condensation. In humid summer climates which are cooling dominated, it can be critical to dry out incoming air so that mildew or mold do not develop in ductwork.

After passing through the heat exchanger, the warmed or cooled fresh air goes through the HVAC air handler, or may be sent directly to various rooms. Stale air from return ducts pre-conditions the incoming flow before exiting. Systems in various sizes and configurations are available to automatically maintain 0.35 air changes per hour, the rate usually recommended to maintain good air quality. Many systems include filters to further control contaminants that would otherwise re-circulate through the home.

Conventional fan and vent assemblies for bathrooms and kitchens, often required by code, may allow significant energy losses. An HRV system can incorporate small, separately switched booster fans in these rooms to control moisture or heat generated by activities like showering or cooking. Odors and pollutants can quickly removed, but energy used to condition the air is recycled in the heat exchanger. Some codes or applications may still require stoves to be separately vented for removal of grease or gas fumes.