Clearing The Air About the Air In Your Home

It's been said that, "Home is where the heart is." While this sentiment may be true, that home could also be making you sick.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend on average about 90 percent or more of their time indoors, where pollutant levels may be two to five times (and possibly more than 100 times) as high as the levels outdoors.

"Most of us don't think about it, because we cannot see the pollution, and sometimes we can't smell it," says a representative for the American Lung Association in Orange County, Calif.

Which is why, say experts, keeping your indoor air clean is paramount to maintaining a healthy household.

Whether old or new, every home has its potential pollutants, says the EPA.

For instance, homes built before 1978 are more likely to contain lead-based paint and have been built with asbestos insulation. In newer, "greener" homes, the use of energy efficiency makes homes airtight, but also effectively traps in pollutants, causing headaches, nausea and exacerbating allergies.

So, what's a homeowner to do?

Other than dusting and vacuuming on a regular basis, and changing your air filters quarterly, you might want to consider using technology to help clean up your inside air, such as the Air Scrubber Plus air purifier system.

This device -- installed into existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems -- uses ActivePure technology to reduce contaminants by up to 99 percent in the air and surfaces of the home.

ActivePure is a variation of the technology used by NASA for the International Space Station and is recognized as the exclusive Certified Space Technology by the Space Foundation in its category.

"There are a high percentage of people with asthma and allergies around the country," said Tom Lozano, executive director of Air Scrubber Plus. "In-depth testing proves that [our technology] can reduce chemical odors, cigarette smoke, dust, pollen and mold."

By using devices such as Air Scrubber Plus, in conjunction with other clean air solutions, you can be assured that the air you're breathing is fresh and clear.

"As people grow more concerned about indoor air quality, we are seeing increased demand for indoor air purification solutions from homeowners all over the country," says Lozano.