Asthma And Opening Windows

Your grandmother probably used to say, "Open the window and let the fresh air in!" She was onto something—ventilation. Unless you live in a polluted city or next to a petrochemical plant, chances are that the air outside your home is cleaner than the air inside it. So, let the bad air out and the good air in. Every day, open your home's windows, and turn on the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, to exchange "dirty" inside air for "clean" outdoor air. After you have ventilated your home for ten to thirty minutes, you can then shut your windows and start your air-cleaning system (discussed below). You should also ventilate your home while vacuuming, cooking, or painting—any activity that potentially produces particulate or gaseous pollution. If possible, take asthma-dangerous activities like sanding or working with airplane glue outdoors.

 

With the advent of airtight, energy-efficient homes and offices, ventilation has become an increasingly sophisticated business. Ventilating your home, however, can be expensive if you must reheat or cool the exchanged air. Consider installing energy-efficient ventilation systems that can be used in the winter without losing much heat. Called "air-to-air heat exchangers" or "heat recovery ventilators," they may be worth the cost for some asthmatics.

 

Don't ventilate your home when there are air-quality alerts; rather, let your air-conditioning or cleaning system do the dirty work, particularly if the weather is hot or muggy. Air conditioners are great for asthmatics; there is evidence that air-conditioning may be more effective than air cleaners or purifiers for removing pollutants. During warm summer months, air-conditioning is often superior to air cleaning simply because air conditioners recirculate indoor air and keep humidity levels low, thereby creating a hostile environment for mold growth. Speaking of mold, if you're sensitive to pollen or mold, keep your windows closed during days when pollen or mold counts are high. Most people, even city dwellers, have decent outdoor air and can ventilate their homes or apartments safely for the greater part of the year. If you have any concerns about air pollution, call the local health department and ask for a daily air-quality report.

 

Besides opening windows, use your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans liberally to remove pollutants that often accumulate in these areas. Some asthmatics take air exchange a step further by ventilating their attics and crawlspaces, thereby keeping their home's humidity level below 50 percent and inhibiting mold growth. Finally, make sure your clothes dryer is ventilated to the outside, not the inside, of your house.