Indoor air quality (IAQ) might sound like the kind of thing only scientists worry about, but it turns out we all should be paying attention. After all, we spend over 90% of our time indoors, and it can lead to sneezing, coughing, and in some cases, serious health problems. So let’s talk about what’s floating around in that air and why you should care—particularly when it comes to particulate matter.

First off, particulate matter, or PM, is simply tiny bits of “stuff” (or particles) in the air. Some are natural, like dust and pollen, while others come from less glamorous sources like vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and your frying pan when you try to make bacon without setting off the smoke detector. Not all particulate matter is created equal, though. That’s where the labels PM2.5 and PM10 come in.

PM10 refers to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less. For comparison, that’s about one-seventh the width of a human hair. PM2.5, on the other hand, is even tinier, measuring 2.5 micrometers or less—small enough to invade your lungs.

What makes these particles so dangerous is their ability to travel deep into the respiratory system. PM2.5 is especially notorious because it can reach the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in your lungs where oxygen gets passed into your blood. The smaller the particle, the deeper it can get into your respiratory system. Long-term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 has been linked to heart and lung diseases. PM10, while less sneaky, can still wreak havoc on your health, causing asthma and other respiratory issues.

So, what’s a person to do? Enter filters!

To save your lungs you can use various types of air filters in your home. Since your HVAC system distributes air throughout your home, this is the first place to start. Many HVAC systems host a MERV8 filter in the system. These filters provide a basic filtration to protect the mechanical system, but do not filter well for humans. Below is a chart to help make a wise and informed decision for the filter in your HVAC system. These filters are simple to replace and can clean the air of these particles while you run the system for comfort.

Additionally, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter will capture those particles and help not only clean the floors, but also the air and your lungs.

Finally, remember to turn your range hood on while you cook. This captures particles such as grease, smoke and other byproducts that would otherwise be in the air and removes them from the home.

So what’s the moral of the story? Clean air matters and filtering particulate matter can go a long way to help. Whether you’re cooking, living near a busy road, or just trying to relax in your newly renovated house, there are small steps we can each take to help make our home (and the air we breathe) healthier.

Post by: Kent Mylin