The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that indoor air pollutants may impact your health more than outdoor pollutants. Here are some easy ways to improve the air quality in your home.
Jon Traudt only has to look at his wife of 60 years to believe that his life’s work — advocating for clean indoor air — is worth it.
Years ago, Bev Traudt’s allergies got worse when the then-young couple moved into their Millard area home. But they made simple fixes to the house, and Bev’s symptoms eased.
Jon, an indoor air quality and energy efficiency consultant, said those kinds of changes remain relevant to homeowners today.
Jon is again raising the issue of air quality given the decision by the Omaha Public Power District to extend operations of its North Omaha coal plant by possibly three years.
Phil Alcocer, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, reads an air quality monitor in North Omaha on Monday.
A member of the ad hoc community group advocating for an earlier shutdown the plant, he said residents can take steps at home to improve indoor air quality, regardless of the timetable for the coal plant.
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Americans on average spend about 90% of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Because indoor air often is more polluted than outdoor air, being mindful of indoor air quality can make a difference in health, Jon said.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church in North Omaha on Monday.
Jon identified the following areas where people can look for leaks:
› Gaps and holes in the wall between an attached garage and the interior of the home. This also is important due to the potential for vehicle exhaust to enter the home.
› Gaps around windows and doors, on attic floors, around chimneys, around openings for wiring and plumbing, and where duct work joins walls.
› Fireplace dampers that are open or partially open in unused fireplaces.
Outdoor air typically contains pollen, urban and industrial pollutants, dust and invisible soot particles.
Indoor pollutants include fumes from natural gas appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, stoves and fireplaces; cigarette smoke; and vapors from carpets, upholstery, dry cleaning, cosmetics, paints and household cleaners.
Reducing indoor pollutants involves using fewer products that give off gases. This includes using the “cleanest” cleaning chemicals possible. It’s also important, Jon said, to test your home for radon, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths after smoking.
Phil Alcocer, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, reads an air quality monitor in North Omaha on Monday.
To better filter air coming into your home, Jon recommends seeing if your furnace and air conditioner can accommodate a 4-inch pleated filter instead of a 1-inch filter. The 4-inch filter has more surface area to trap particles.
The Traudts reduced interior carbon monoxide levels by installing a furnace and water heater equipped with powered exhaust systems that force emissions up the chimney. They also run the fan on their furnace/air conditioner constantly so that it is filtering air, even when it’s not heating or cooling the home.
Traudt does pro bono assessments for nonprofits and most recently is assisting Sacred Heart parish.
Homeowners can purchase a home air quality monitor to test their air, he said. These sell for $80 to $400, depending upon their level of sophistication. They test for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, volatile organic chemicals, particulate matter, and in some cases, allergens and radon.
“What gets measured, gets managed,” Jon is fond of saying.
If your budget is tight, Jon advises spending money on a home air quality monitor, sealing leaks and improving filtration over having ducts cleaned.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of February 2023
Snow still covers fields as the sun starts to set near Wynot, Nebraska on Thursday.
Sutherland’s Grady Dempcy is introduced before he takes on David City Aquinas’s Grady Romshek for the Class D during the state final 106 pound match on Saturday.
Millard South’s Miles Anderson, left, walks away after pinning Lincoln East’s Joshua Shaner during the Class A state final 126 pound match on Saturday.
Omaha’s Ty Mueller gets a first-half shot past Colorado College goalie Kaidan Mbereko’s left hand in the first period to put UNO up 1-0 on Friday. Also on the play is Colorado College’s Noah Laba, top right, and Nicklas Andrews, bottom left.
Maria Sosa teaches a Folklórico class at the Hispanic Arts Center inside the former Center Theater located at 3504 Center Street on Tuesday.
A pedestrian crosses west on 17th Street at Douglas Street in the rain on Tuesday.
A pedestrian crosses east on 13th Street at Harney Street during a winter storm on Thursday.
Haley Quall, right, and Lisa Mueller prepare flower arrangements for Valentine’s Day in the greenhouse at Janousek Florist in Omaha on Monday. The family-owned florist expects to have about 700 orders for the holiday.
Creighton’s Shereef Mitchell (4) walks off the court with head coach Greg McDermott following the UConn vs. Creighton men’s basketball game in Omaha on Saturday. Creighton won the game 56-53.
Victor Benjamin shapes clay in his hand as he works on a sculpture of Chief Big Elk at the KANEKO on Wednesday.
People watch as Victor Benjamin works on a sculpture of Chief Big Elk at the KANEKO on Wednesday. It will eventually be placed at the newly renovated Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront.
Victor Benjamin works on a sculpture of Chief Big Elk at the KANEKO on Wednesday. It will eventually be placed at the newly renovated Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront.
Creighton’s Lauren Jensen dribbles the ball in the first half against St. John’s on Saturday.
Creighton’s Morgan Maly and her team celebrate a second-half three-point basket against St. John’s on Saturday.
Employees and customers retrieve their belongings a day after they fled a Target at 17810 West Center Road after someone walked in and started firing an assault rifle. Omaha police shot and killed the suspect.
Omaha Zoo CEO Luis Padilla announces an update to the Hubbard Orangutan Forrest on Friday.
Sarah Nocita hugs her son, Michael Baker, as they move into a new place in northwest Omaha on Thursday. They were tenants of the Legacy Crossing Apartments before being forced to move after the City of Omaha shut down the complex in December.
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