Is the air in your home safe?
By: LMP Editorial Team - February 5th, 2008
It’s tempting to see your home as a sanctuary, safe from threats that lurk beyond the doorstep. And for the most part, it is. But if you think that you and your family are protected from the risk of air pollutants when you’re inside, you may have to think again. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, indoor air can sometimes be more hazardous to health than outdoor air.
Achieving healthy indoor air is a complex issue, especially given the ubiquitous use of synthetic s and chemicals in home building, décor and household cleaning products. Fortunately, the CMHC has useful information on indoor air quality, and how to assess and correct air problems in your home, that you can access by going to www.cmhc.ca/en, clicking on the “Browse by Topic” menu, and choosing “Indoor Air Quality”.
One small step you can take to reduce airborne biological contaminants such as dust mites, pollen and pet dander is to vacuum frequently, preferably using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. (HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, which removes 99.9 per cent of airborne pollutants.) If you’re shopping for a vacuum, there are a couple of new HEPA vacuums on the market worth looking at.
The Bosch Formula Electro Duo Plus has, in addition to a HEPA filter, 
1400 watts of power, which means it really sucks - literally. This canister-style machine comes with a detachable 11-inch carpet brush that works on carpet and bare surfaces. Three other nozzles, for furniture, upholstery and crevices, fit snugly into a compartment on top of the machine, so they’re always handy. The telescoping hose handle hooks into a slot on the bottom of the machine, making it easy to store. And because this sleek little machine weighs less than 12 pounds, pulling it out for a fast whip around the living room isn’t a daunting task. The Bosch Formula uses bags, and has a little indicator light that goes on when the bag needs changing.It sells for about $600.For retail locations, go to http://english.bosch-appliances.ca/
Hoover’s latest entry into the market is the WindTunnel, a bagless upright that has a washable, life-time HEPA filter. It also has what its makers refer to as cyclonic technology, which is supposed to lift and trap dirt rather than letting fall back onto the surface being cleaned. The multi-surface brush works on hard and carpeted surfaces, and has a 28-foot retractable cord. It also comes with a pet hair tool, dust/ upholstery brush, a crevice attachment and two extension wands. The WindTunnel sells for about $250. For a list of dealers, go to http://www.hoover.ca/
Vacuums without HEPA filters also have a role to play in household cleaning. Those who like a tidy floor, but find the chore of cleaning as dull as — well — dirt, should consider investing in a robotic vacuum, such as the Roomba 560, a 13-inch cordless vacuum that looks like a Frisbee on steroids. It can be programmed to clean hard and carpeted floors daily, and runs for about three hours before having to return to its charging base.
The Roomba navigates around furniture, automatically adjusting to hard or soft surfaces. A bumper system slows the machine as it approaches walls or other objects, and two “lighthouses” can be placed around delicate objects, to insure that the Roomba won’t plow into your priceless Ming Dynasty vases. There’s also an “anti-tassel” feature that means the machine won’t chew carpet fringe or other cords. One of the advantages of this machine is that it easily gets to hard-to-reach areas, such as the space under a couch or chair. And you never have to worry about losing the instruction book for the Roomba 560 – it has a built-in voice tutorial describing features and functions.
The Roomba 560 sells for about $350, and is available some COSTCO location and at Bed Bath & Beyond. For information, go to http://www.irobot.com/.
Dirt Devil has two new hand-held vacuums that are handy for quick clean-ups. Both the Kurv and the Kone have a bagless dirt cup and a soft tip that’s easy on delicate surfaces. While the nozzle is probably too small for any major cleanup, it’s works very well in tight corners and along straight edges such as door thresholds. (A quick daily swipe across door thresholds will help outdoor dirt where it belongs.) Designed by Karim Rashid, they’re also so good looking that guests could mistake them for sculpture. The Kone and Kurv both come in a range of colours. Prices start at about $60. For more info, http://www.dirtdevil.com/..