Sierra Club Green Home

Hey Nicole, How your IAQ improved? Did you elect to buy an Air Filter? Please let us know! Jennifer

Nicole, Thanks for the inquiry. Great question applicable to city dwellers. My first suggestion you have already accomplished -- shutting all outdoor exposure windows and doors. Secondly definitely give the condo a good thorough clean -- dusting, vacuuming, and removing any particulates you can (I suggest non-toxic cleaning products old rags to take this on). You sound like you are probably pretty buttoned up in general so I am sure getting the condo squeaky clean won't be a problem. : ). An air purifier would be a logical purchase at this time to help clean the air. Check out the SCGH article on Air Purifiers to lead your shopping experience: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/go-green/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-hvac/air-filtration-system/ Notice the section on choosing the right one for your space, this is very important (Calculate your CADR rate). As a side note, if excessive silt continues to accumulate around your building you have a right to report the problem to the Dept of Buildings - dial 311. If developers and contractors are doing their work properly, they will use dust containment facilities and blowers inside a building that blow into a filtering unit. As a side note, if noise becomes a problem, they are required to keep normal daytime hours. Let DOB know if they violate any of the above. Your co-op or condo association can take action if need be. Nicole, this is a great start in recognizing that your indoor air quality can be better -- yes it is scary what we may be inhaling. Check out this article on Indoor Air Quality to further your Home Health knowledge: http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/home-health/indoor-air-quality/#more-993 Please contact me if you have further questions. Your green home expert, Jennifer Schwab