SMALL SPACES AND URBAN LIVING

For people who live in apartments, condos, dorm rooms, or in a shared living space,  Healthy Air is attainable.

Spaces with Healthy Home Potential:

  • Apartments
  • Condos
  • College Dorms
  • Urban Living

Apartments and Condos

According to the EPA, apartments have the same Indoor Air Quality problems as single-family homes, including asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.

Just like single-family homes, VOCs from building materials can have serious effects on your wellbeing.

Try to remove or control any sources of air pollution in your apartment, increase ventilation by opening windows, and use a room air purifier wherever possible.

Be sure to vet the property owner if you have concerns about leftover pet dander or tobacco smoke from a previous tenant. 

College Dorms

College dorms aren't much different than apartments or condos in that they can offer the same air quality issues as other homes.

In fact, they could be worse as, oftentimes, students are partners up with other people in very tight spaces.

From a purely academic perspective, there are additional ramifications as poor air quality has an adverse effect on cognitive function and sleep quality.

Consider using a room air purifier and cleaning often to reduce dust and other airborne contaminants. 

Urban Areas

According to the World Health Organization, it's estimated that "1.3 million people - more than half of them living in developing countries - die every year from urban outdoor air pollution."

In many cases, people have developed heart disease, respiratory ailments, and even lung cancer.

Considering the air in our homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside, there is an urgent need for Healthy Air indoors.

Remember that homes with people who are already ill, the elderly, and especially small children tend to be more vulnerable to air pollution - indoor or outdoor.

Take the necessary precautions to ensure your family breaths Healthy Air.

Title 24 in California

Speaking of urban living, California's Title 24 has made strides in helping to reduce the amount of energy use and air pollution in the states.

According to Commissioner Andrew McAllister, "the buildings that Californians buy and live in will operate very efficiently while generating their own clean energy. They will cost less to operate, have healthy indoor air, and provide a platform for 'smart' technologies that will propel the state even further down the road to a low emissions future."

The new 2019 standards will increase the cost of constructing a new home by about $9,500 but will save 19,000 in energy and maintenance costs over 30 years.

Not a bad deal considering the health and environmental benefits.

Dos & Don'ts

Do

use a room air purifier

Give your home a burst of fresh air using room air purifiers in high-traffic areas. Look for non-ionic room air purifiers that won't add harmful Ozone to your smaller space.

Don’t

purchase products that

contain VOCs

Try to clean your home as often as possible using healthy products. Keeping a clean home will reduce the number of indoor air pollutants circulating through your home. Using all-natural, organic cleaning products will reduce the amount of VOCs - or Volatile Organic Compounds - added to your air.

Do

replace your air filter often,

if possible

If your smaller home has a built-in air purification unit, get fresh air as often as possible. In California, Title 24 requires MERV 13 air filters, at minimum, for new residential construction. 

Don’t

settle for anything less than a

Healthy Home

Your family's health should be your main priority. Starting with Healthy Air is the fastest and easiest way to improve your quality of life.

Do

speak to your landlord or

building administrator

In some cases, you may be able to work together to find ways to eliminate pollution and increase ventilation in your home. At the very least, your landlord or building administrator may be able to have the air quality tested, which gives you a starting point for which to base your next home.

“Air quality issues are common in many buildings and may lead to detrimental health effects among ocupants.”

RDH Building Science

FINAL THOUGHTS

Take the necessary measures to turn your small space into a Healthy Home. Find ways to eliminate air pollution and increase ventilation. From there, clean often, and use a room air purifier in high traffic areas.

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