Article Summary

The following article is from E MAGAZINE, MAY/JUNE 2013, Volume XXIV Number 3, by Britta Belli.

In her article "10 Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality," Brita Belli (2013) argues that common indoor triggers include dust mites on pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals; mold in bathrooms, dust and pet hair in carpeting; cleaning sprays and pesticides; air fresheners and candles and mouse and cockroach droppings. First steps is replacing sprays and cleaners with non toxic alternatives, and then embracing a weekly cleaning regimen that aims to keep the dust, mold and insects at bay. Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American spends 90% of his or her time indoors and that levels of pollutants are typically two to five times as high inside homes compared to outside. Children, because of their smaller bodies, are more vulnerable to the impacts of bad indoor air.

10 steps to make your home air more breathable are make your own cleaners (such as distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle), cover you mattresses with a special protector that will prevent dust mites from congregating, wash all bedding weekly in hot water to get rid of dust mites, change your pillows could use an upgrade, pass the vacuum cleaner over the target area as many as eight times, removing carpeting altogether, keep stuffed animals and toys in bins, set household humidity levels no higher than 50% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provide ventilate in the house for the passage of air, and control pests without chemicals.

Vocabulary Lists

Ø  Symptoms          = gejala.

Ø  Breathable          = dapat udara/nafas/tiupan.

Ø  Consider             = mempertimbangkan, memikirkan.

Ø  Vulnerable          = mudah diserang.

Ø  Mites                  = sedikit sekali.

Ø  Pollen                 = serbuk sari dari bunga.

Ø  Congregate        = berkumpul, berkerumun.

Ø  Chore                  = tugas, pekerjaan.

Ø  Hazardous           = berbahaya, beresiko.

Ø  Guideline            = garis pedoman.

Ø  Washable            = dapat dicuci.

Ø  Humidity            = kelembaban.

Ø  Dehumidifier      = alat pengering udara.

Ø  Exhaust               = tempat/alat pembuangan uap atau gas.

Ø  Mold                   = cetakan.

Ø  Rodents               = hewan pengerat.

Ø  Leaks                   = bocor.

Ø  Airing                  = pengangin-anginan.

Ø  Rugs                    = permadani.

Ø  Cockroach           = kecoa(k), lipas.