DR. NANCY SNYDERMAN: I’m Dr. Nancy Snyderman with this week’s Healthful Hint.
Tightness in the chest? Headaches? It may be that polluted air has gotten to you and you haven’t even left the house. To save energy and money, we’ve made our homes increasingly airtight. But we’ve also bottled in chemical pollutants, making the air we breathe indoors more harmful.
To fight the invisible enemy inside, start by putting out that cigarette. Don’t smoke and don’t allow smoking in your home.
Also, be sure that your kitchen stove is well vented. Run your vent fan after preparing a meal to rid the area of carbon monoxide and other gases.
And for a lingering odor, don’t reach for that soft scent. Air fresheners such as incense and aerosols mask rather than remove odors and may actually pollute the air with carcinogens and hydrocarbons.
Advertisers would like you to believe that buying a filter is the easy answer. Don’t hold your breath. Such devices don’t remove gaseous contaminants. In fact, they may produce ozone, a dangerous pollutant.
The best solution for indoor pollution? Let some air in. Cross-ventilate by cracking those windows and doors, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. A breeze blowing in can help the pollutants flow out.
With Healthful Hints for an airier home, I’m Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
