Page 26 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 31, 2013 Nine ways to improve indoor air quality own domain. Often, people do not realize how polluted the air in their homes and businesses can be. Cigarette smoke, radon, carbon monoxide, lead-laden dust from old paint, dirt-filled carpets, household cleaners, and furniture made with wood glue containing formaldehyde are all sources of indoor air pollution. Even cooking on a gas stove may introduce high levels of nitrogen dioxide into the air, causing respiratory problems. The National Safety Council says that Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, so poor air quality can greatly affect personal health. There are several steps that can be taken to improve the quality of indoor air. • Open the windows and let fresh air circulate. It is important to change the air inside of the home several times a day to prevent the buildup of pollutants. Even opening windows a crack can help. • Change the filters on home heating and cooling sys- In April 2012, a wildfire broke out in a compost pile in an area on Staten Island, New York, that formerly housed the Fresh Kills Landfill. Residents across the island wor- ried if the billowing smoke rising into the sky was toxic in nature as a result of the years of trash that had been buried in the soil. While it is understandable to worry about contami- nants that could be polluting outdoor air, it is also impor- tant to consider indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air inside people’s homes can be two to five times more polluted than air outside the home. Although the EPA regulates the quality of outdoor air and monitors poten- tial contaminants, the air inside one’s home is his or her tems as the manufacturer suggests. • Routinely clean the exhaust vents in kitchens, bath- rooms, and laundry rooms. • Consider the installation of an air purification system in the home. Or purchase in-room HEPA filters. • Routinely clean bedding used by pets and groom animals to remove fur that has been shed. • Avoid the use of toxic cleaning products. Thor- oughly cleanse the air by opening windows after doing any cleaning. • Use natural pest control procedures inside when possible. • Introduce more houseplants, which naturally filter air. • Use detectors to test for radon and carbon monoxide in the home. If there are high levels present, go outside and investigate ways to identify the problem and remedy the situation. Bob Malgieri, tree and shrub care manager at Borst Landscape & Design in Allendale, recently received a cer- tificate of accomplishment in natural turf and landscape management from Rutgers University. Only a select few in the state are certified. Malgieri attended several different Rutgers University continuing education courses in order to receive this certi- fication. The courses were taken over a three-month period and included organic pest management and landscape turf, reducing pesticide impacts and exploring organic options for sports turf, and integrated pest management. Borst Landscape & Design is an award-winning, full- service landscape design/build firm specializing in large- scale residential and commercial projects throughout northern New Jersey. Founded in 1989, the company has received recognition from numerous national and industry organizations including the New Jersey Landscape Con- tractors Association, the Associated Landscape Contrac- tors of America, and Landscape Management magazine. Borst Landscape & Design is also the Grand Award winner of 40 th Annual Environmental Improvement Awards from PLANET (Professional Landcare Network). The landscaping firm focuses solely on “green” practices with Borst Organic ® . This private-label line of organic products for lawn, tree, and shrub care avoids synthetic fertilization and harsh chemicals. The holistic approach promotes opti- mum growing conditions and natural resistance to pests and diseases. For more information, visit www.borstland- scape.com or call (201) 785-9400. Bob Malgieri Malgieri earns honor from Rutgers