NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--"Millions of Americans are breathing unhealthy amounts of ozone, dust,
pollen and other harmful irritants and allergens, especially during the
summer months," said Neil Schachter, M.D., professor of pulmonary
medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, author of "Life and
Breath," and past president of the American Lung Association of the City
of New York. "It's important for the American public to take active
measures to help clean the air inside their homes so people are able to
In today's energy-efficient, airtight homes smoke, soot, pollen, pet
dander and other particles can become trapped without proper
ventilation. These particles, some of which are more than 300 times
smaller than a human hair, can trigger or aggravate many serious
breathing and health problems, including allergies, asthma, bronchitis
and respiratory disease.
Here are some simple, practical tips to help "repair" the air in your
home this summer, courtesy of the American Lung Association Health House
program and 3M:
Air filtration can help reduce indoor air pollution from airborne
particles in your home. Choose air cleaning filters that meet
American Lung Association Health House indoor air quality
guidelines, such as Filtrete ultra allergen reduction filters from
3M, and replace these filters during the first week of every new
season. Homeowners living with pets, smokers, and allergy and asthma
sufferers may need to replace these filters more frequently. Don't
forget that the only safe way to protect against secondhand smoke
inside is to not let anyone smoke in your home.
High humidity is a problem in much of the United States during the
summer months. The ideal range for indoor humidity is 30 to 60
percent, depending on your location, season and your physician's
recommendation. Consider purchasing a hygrometer (an instrument that
measures humidity) and installing a mechanical ventilation system,
exhaust fans and a dehumidification system. Can't afford to go that
far? Running your bathroom and kitchen fans more often will help
remove hot humid air from the house. Running your air conditioner
will help dehumidify the outside air coming in.
Summer foliage is in full bloom this time of year, and the shade
provided by trees gives natural cover from the hot sun. Because tree
roots can channel surface water toward your basement and can lead to
mold growth, you should keep trees and shrubs at least three feet
from the perimeter of your home.
Window coverings are a great way to keep the hot summer sun from
heating up your home. Make sure that your window coverings do not
become a magnet for dust, especially if someone in your household
has dust allergies or asthma. Use window coverings made of washable
The American Lung Association Health House program and 3M are offering a
series of "Breathe Easier" brochures that provide additional tips on
improving air quality in the home. These three brochures -- Breathe
Easier: Home, Breathe Easier: Remodeling and Breathe Easier: Kids -- are
available free-of-charge by calling 1-800-388-3458 or by sending an
e-mail with name, mailing address and the title(s) of booklets requested
The booklets can also be downloaded at www.filtrete.com.
For more information on indoor air quality and how to reduce levels of
air pollution in the home, visit www.healthhouse.org
To download free Post-It(R) Software Notes to remind you when you want
to change your air cleaning filter, visit www.filtrete.com
and click on "Reminder Service."(3)
The American Lung Association has been fighting lung disease for nearly
100 years through programs of education, advocacy and research and has
long been a leader in the clean air movement. The American Lung
Association Health House program, a national education program, is
raising the standard for healthier home environments through its
national demonstration homes, training programs for consumers and
builders and educational partnerships and alliances. For more
information about the Health House program, call 1-877-521-1491 or visit www.healthhouse.org.
For more information about the American Lung Association's other
programs and services, visit www.lungusa.org.
3M provides support to the American Lung Association Health House
program for its ongoing efforts to generate awareness and educate people
about indoor air quality issues. The American Lung Association and its
Health House program do not endorse products.
About 3M -- A Global, Diversified Technology Company
Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen.
Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know they
can rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands include
icons such as Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite,
Filtrete, Dyneon and O-Cel-O. Serving customers in more than 200
countries around the world, the company's 70,000 people use their
expertise, technologies and global strength to lead in major markets
including consumer and office; display and graphics; electronics and
telecommunications; safety, security and protection services; health
care; industrial and transportation. For more information, including the
latest product and technology news, visit www.3M.com.
(1) According to the American Lung Association's State of the Air: 2003
report, nearly half of the population of the United States are living in
counties with an unhealthy amount of ozone, the primary ingredient in
the smog that regularly blankets many urban areas during the summer
(2) Yet according to a 2002 survey commissioned by the American Lung
Association Health House program and 3M, less than 20 percent of
Americans realize that the air inside their homes may be more polluted
than the air outdoors.
(3)According to a 2002 survey commissioned by the American Lung
Association Health House program and 3M, nearly ten percent of Americans
have never changed the filter in their heating/air conditioning unit!
Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete, Dyneon
and O-Cel-O are trademarks of 3M Company.
American Lung Association and Health House are registered trademarks of
the American Lung Association in the United States and are trademarks