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In an effort to reduce heating and cooling costs, many “airtight” homes have been constructed over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, this resulted in a buildup of indoor contaminants like mold and carbon monoxide. In fact, studies have shown that the air inside our homes can be more polluted than the outdoor air in some big cities. Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune diseases can be especially vulnerable to these pollutants.

The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air-exchange rate. When there is little infiltration of outdoor air through natural or mechanical ventilation, the air-exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase. Factors that contribute to bad indoor air include tobacco smoke; construction materials; paints, stains, and finishes on walls, floors, cabinets, and furniture; and activities such as cooking, heating, cooling, and cleaning. An upswing of respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions may also show up soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants. Long-term exposure could lead to severely debilitating problems such as asthma, heart disease, and cancer. The EPA says the most effective ways to improve your indoor air quality are to remove the sources of pollutants and to ventilate with clean outdoor air. Improving air movement within your home can be as simple as opening windows and doors and installing ceiling fans.

Furniture with hard or open surfaces is easier to keep free of dust than upholstered pieces.