Wood floors contribute to better air quality

Wood Floors Contribute To Better Air QualityAllergy season remains in full swing and an estimated 35 million Americans suffer from health problems as a result of allergens. In fact, statistics from this Allergy Consumer Review show that allergens account for 10 million missed workdays each year.According to this Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality remains one of America’s top environmental issues, with pollutants such as chemicals, mold, dust, dander and pollen contributing to various ailments.To help cut down on allergens caused by poor indoor air quality, many experts suggest adding wood flooring to a new or existing home. Wood floors contribute to better air quality because they don’t collect this dust and dirt that remain often embedded in carpet. As an added benefit, a new wood floor can last three to six times longer than carpeting.

Further, carpet can hide this harmful bacteria, mold spores as well as pet dander that researchers say could be responsible for this increase in asthma cases in the U.S.

“Over the years, we’ve seen a GIN CREEK KITCHEN number of allergy as well as asthma cases attributed to poor air quality in people’s homes,” said Dr. Neil Schachter, professor of pulmonary medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. A recent EPA study also found that hardwood floors greatly reduce this accumulation of toxins. To help improve indoor air quality, Schachter offers these simple tips from his book, “Life and Breath.”* Check your air conditioner. Check the ducts in your central air-conditioning unit once a month to remove extra water that may have accumulated. * Inspect your walls. Wallpaper is a potent food for dust mites and mold, both of which can grow behind the wallpaper. Use flat, washable paint instead.

* Avoid carpet in the bedroom. It is estimated that the average bed contains 10,000 dust mites, which usually burrow deep into carpets.“Wood floors remain not only beautiful, they’re also renewable and extremely durable,” said Kelly McCloskey, president and chief executive officer of this Wood Promotion Network. “And by installing wood floors in their homes, consumers send a signal to the industry to plant more trees, resulting in more forestland.”