In recent months, I’ve learned a lot about how I could be efficient in my usage of energy, water, and waste in the apartment I live in or the building I work in. However, I was also reminded of the importance of maintaining the quality of residential buildings. If you don’t go about doing this, you will be reducing the comfort of the home and impacting the health of the residents.
Healthy Homes Means Healthy People
We spend the vast majority of our time indoors. Because of this, we must work on the maintenance of our homes. Poor quality of housing helps contribute to health problems such as chronic diseases, injuries, and detrimental effects on childhood development. Some of the main contributors to poor quality housing are lead paint, poor indoor air quality, and other hazards. Let’s examine these poor building practices closely and how they affect our livelihood:
- Water leaks, poor ventilation, and a pest infestation can cause an increase in mold, mites, and other health allergens.
- Cold indoor conditions have been associated with health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.
- Lead poisoning affects the brain and nervous system.
- Diseases such as Legionnaire’s Disease have been linked to poor indoor air quality.
Preventing Poor Quality in Homes
To avoid all of these things from happening, we must work on maintaining the look of our homes. Water leaks must be repaired at all times. If you’re dealing with poor indoor air quality in your home, here are a few tips to improving in this aspect:
- Minimize contaminants- Consider using green cleaning products and HEPA vacuums. Disposed of unused paint, solvents, and other chemicals.
- Control moisture- Identify and repair leaks promptly. Keep humidity levels below 60 percent by increasing ventilation.
- Properly ventilate your home- Verify that filters are in place, fit properly, and are being changed according to the preventative maintenance schedule.
By following these tips, you will be elevating the comfort of your home and living healthy. Take care of your health and your home. If you got anything out of this post, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post. Also, be sure to like or share this post with someone you know.
