Vol 15, No. 1     LINCARE is a National Supplier of Home
Spring '03           Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Services

Indoor Air Quality

American adults spend about 90% of their time indoors, and thanks to our more tightly insulated/sealed homes and workplaces, the concentration of pollutants indoors may be even higher than outdoors. Major indoor pollutants include environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke); radon; combustion products stemming from sources such as pet dander, pollen, molds, and dust mites; volatile organic compounds present in paints, cleaners, pesticides, copiers, printers, glues, and adhesives; lead dust from old, lead-based paints; and asbestos.

Here are five easy steps you can take to reduce pollution at home:

1. Vacuum and clean regularly.

2. Wipe your feet on a doormat. Better yet, take your shoes off when you enter your home.

3. Avoid smoke from wood stoves, fireplaces, and cigarettes.

4. Use less toxic products for managing pest problems in your home and garden.

5. Use fans or open windows to reduce moisture in bathrooms and kitchens and reduce build-up of indoor pollutants.

- American Lung Association

Trapped air in the damaged air sacs often causes the lungs to remain expanded. This prevents your diaphragm (the main breathing muscle) from moving freely. Learning to relax your abdominal muscles as you breathe in, gives your diaphragm more room to move. You'll be able to take more air in. Tightening your abdominal muscles as you breathe out moves more air out of your lungs. Practice this technique until it becomes a habit.

1. Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

2. Put one hand on your abdomen and one on your chest.

3. Inhale slowly through your nose to the count of two. Your chest should stay still, your abdomen will move out.

4. Exhale to the count of four, pushing in gently with your abdominal hand. Your chest should stay still.

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