October is Healthy Lung Month, AZ Energy Efficient Home teams up with PCH to Healthify Your Home

PHOENIX - Oct. 17, 2016 - PRLog -- Tis the season for coughs, colds and the flu. Did you know that besides germs, the air you breathe indoors could be what's making your family sick? October is Healthy Lung Month, and AZ Energy Efficient Home is teaming up with Phoenix Children's Hospital to encourage you to Healthify Your Home and raise awareness and funds for lung health, asthma and allergy prevention.

If you've ever come down with a nagging cough or a cold that just won't quit, there's a good chance your indoor air quality has something to do with it. Short-term effects of poor air quality include all the common cold ailments we often blame on germs. Long term affects from poor air quality include lung disease, which affects a staggering number of Americans. About 10 million adults are diagnosed with chronic bronchitis each year, and about 4.7 million others have ever been diagnosed with emphysema. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema constitute the diseases that make up Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Over 25 million people live with asthma in the United States, and in Arizona, asthma and allergies affect thousands of people, and the complications of breathing problems pose a significant impact to children.

"We wanted to partner with PCH to promote awareness of Healthy Lung Month because many of the lung health complications Arizona families face are a result of poor air quality at home," said Jonathan Waterworth, CEO of AZ Energy Efficient Home. "In Arizona, people spend a lot of time indoors year-round and breathe indoor air the majority of time every day. Unfortunately most people don't realize what an impact their home air quality has on their health until they are faced with a complication, he said.

Most people think that harmful air pollutants exist only outdoors, but pollutants occurring in the home can actually be more harmful than those commonly encountered outdoors. Modern homes harbor many sources of respiratory irritation, but it's easy to lung-proof home. Some common lung irritants found indoors are volatile organic compounds, lead, formaldehyde, radon, cleaning agent vapors, and fire-retardants. Natural pollutants also make their way into the home, including pet dander, dust mites, and mold. Here are a few simple ways the people, especially those with lung disease, can avoid these lung damaging agents.

·       Clean the Air: Buy a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce particulates, lead, and allergens such as pet dander in the home. Follow this step by mopping with a microfiber mop to soak up any leftover particles.

·       Green Your Space: Fill your place with plants! Indoor plants help purify the air, removing toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and xylene. Spider plants and aloe vera plants are good choices for the home.

·       Go Natural: Fragrances in cleaning products, laundry detergents, and air fresheners can all damage the lungs so opt for fragrance-free whenever possible.

·       Test for Radon: Make sure your home has a radon detector. This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

·       Get a Home Health Assessment: Work with a professional to investigate what pollutants your home may be hiding and put an action plan in place to purify the air your family breathes. In the month of October, AZ Energy Efficient Home is offering Home Health Assessments for $75, and a portion of proceeds will go towards PCH Asthma, Allergies and Immunology program.

AZ Energy Efficient Home is the Valley's leading home health and efficiency company, recently named Contractor of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. The company is Arizona's only certified Healthy Home Evaluator accredited to evaluate homes for conditions that adversely affect occupant health and safety.  The company is also a member of the Children's Environmental Health Network and an active participant in national environmental efforts that support clean air.

For more information about AZ Energy Efficient Home visit www.azenergyefficienthome.com  or call (480) 471-0111 for East Valley residences, or (623) 581-5298 for West Valley services. To schedule an interview with AZ Energy Efficient Home CEO Jonathan Waterworth contact Melissa Rein.

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About AZ Energy Efficient Home:

Energy Star Contractor of the Year, AZ Energy Efficient Home is Arizona's premier home health and efficiency company. Their work is based on the premise that every family's home should be safe, healthy, comfortable and efficient. With a high threshold for quality and a scientifically based approach to energy efficiency, AZ Energy Efficient Home is dedicated to reducing the energy burdens and carbon footprints for all families they do business with. With ceaseless effort and unyielding attention to detail AZ Energy Efficient Home will ensure your home reaches its most energy efficient operating state.

For more information about AZ Energy Efficient Home visit Homes online at www.azenergyefficienthome.com or call (480) 471-0111 for East Valley residences, or (623) 581-5298 for West Valley residences.