Keep a relative humidity of 30-50 percent. This helps reduce mold and dust mites, which die when the humidity is below 40 percent, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Be cautious of products marketed to “clean” the air, like sprays and plug-in fresheners that release particles.
While room-sized air cleaners can reduce airborne allergens, they can generate ozone – a gas regulated by the EPA as a lung irritant in outdoor air, says Dr. Julie McNairn, an allergist and immunologist with Premier Allergy and Asthma Associates in Middletown. Look for models with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s “asthma & allergy friendly” certification (www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com), which indicates they can reduce allergen levels by more than 75 percent and do not contribute to ozone levels in the home that exceed federal regulations.
Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that vent outdoors.
Use natural ingredients for cleaning, like baking soda and vinegar, McNairn recommends, or buy products with the cleaning solution already infused into a cloth.
Use a dehumidifier to reduce the potential of mold growth in a damp basement.
If cleaning up mold – areas less than about 10 square feet can be handled without professional help, according to EPA recommendations – use bleach, not soap. Some types can serve as a food source for mold, McNairn says.
Run the fan in a central air system even when the heat and air conditioning are not on.
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010210326