Clear the air at home — literally

Indoor pollution causes its share of problems -- among them, exacerbating asthma.

So what can you do about indoor pollution?

Start by cleaning the air ducts and coils through which the air conditioning and heating pass through. This will significantly reduce the level of fungi flowing through the air. Take the filter out of an air vent and, with a flashlight, look into the air duct. You might be surprised to find it caked with dust and dirt. Every time air passes through these portholes some of that pollution goes with it. Yuk!

Take a vacuum cleaner and suck out some of that dirt, but you will probably not get all of it. Some of it, after all, will be beyond the vacuum's reach. You might need to contact a company that specializes in this field. Its worker(s) will not only clean the system, but also decontaminate the coils and can probably offer a maintenance program.

What more can you do yourself?

If you smoke, stop it. You've heard that before. Cleaning the filters every month helps maintain a clean flow of air as well as helping the system work at optimal efficiency. Try reducing the use of household chemicals. Alternatives to harmful cleaning agents can be found in health-food stores and through catalogues and Internet sites.

Having professionals clean and decontaminate your carpet, furniture, drapes and other items at least once a year will add to your clean-air environment.

To maintain a constant flow of clean air, have an electrostatic air cleaner installed. Some companies claim that this eliminates as much as 94 percent of irritants from indoor air. If you do smoke, or have guests who smoke, you will be glad to know that these air cleaners are effective against cigarette smoke.

Electrostatic air cleaners reduce airborne dust that settles on furniture and other items, so less dusting is needed.

Hope these suggestions help you breathe a littler easier.

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color."