Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks faced today, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Houses these days are more airtight, causing toxins like mold and radon to accumulate, says Jim Quigley of Healthy Spaces, an indoor-environment health consultancy in Glenside, Pa. So spend a grand to get rid of them.
Buy a HEPA sealed vacuum: $175A standard vacuum just pushes around the smallest dust particles instead of removing them.
Clean your ductwork: $250Mold and dust hide in ducts. Opt for a chemical-free cleaning, so you're not adding toxins back.
Buy glass containers: $50 Studies have raised concerns about the safety of bisphenol A, commonly found in plasticware.
Run a long-term radon test: $20Radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers.
Have a pro test for lead: $150Homes painted before 1978 are most at risk; removal costs a few hundred to a thousand or more for a severe problem.
Hire a mold inspector: $380 Mold can cause allergic reactions and worsen asthma.
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