My family is prone to asthma and allergies, so I’m always on the lookout for ways to reduce our exposure to environmental triggers. New: The Environmental Protection Agency now has an Indoor airPLUS label to certify new homes that have been designed for better indoor air quality. But healthy-home advocate Allen P. Rathey says that there is plenty we can do to improve the air in existing dwellings. Rathey, president of The Healthy House Institute, an educational resource for consumers, offers this three-part “formula”…

1. Eliminate sources of unhealthiness that can cause or exacerbate ­respiratory or other health problems…

Excess moisture, which can lead to mold. Make sure that gutters and downspouts are clear… and that soil slopes away from the home’s foundation… and your roof is free of leaks.

Use dehumidifiers, especially in the basement, to keep humidity below 50%.

Keep the bathroom exhaust fan on for at least 10 minutes after bathing or showering. Most people turn it off when the fog is off the mirror.

Radon (a carcinogenic gas that seeps into the air from soil). Get a do-it-yourself test from the hardware store or the National Radon Helpline (800-557-2366). The National Safety Council (800-644-6999) can help home owners find qualified contractors to correct unsafe levels. Best: Retest every two years. Few home owners do so after the initial inspection. Cost of a system to remove excess radon: About $1,000 to $3,000.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). House paints are a source of VOCs. Many manufacturers now make low- or no-VOC interior paints, but most home owners don’t know to choose them. Carpeting and furniture also can be problems. For information, contact The Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org) or GREENGUARD (www.greenguard.org).

Formaldehyde. Products made of pressed wood, such as particleboard or interior plywood under a decorative exterior, can emit high levels of formaldehyde. This toxic outgassing can go on for years. Buy solid wood or metal cabinets.

2. Isolate. If you can’t get rid of it, separate it. If replacing particleboard cabinets and shelves is impractical, consider applying a sealant to the entire surface. Pressed-wood sealants are available online and at some home and hardware stores. Do a spot test on a small surface before applying to a large area.

If your home contains damaged or crumbling asbestos — say, around basement pipes in an older home — have it removed or sealed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor. Asbestos fibers are a leading carcinogen.

3. Ventilate. Bring in fresh air, and let out the stale. Opening windows and doors helps — but mechanical systems do a better job. Special heat-recovery ventilators (HRVs) refresh air while recapturing heat that otherwise would be lost. They also regulate humidity. Window units are available, but Rathey recommends installing units in a central air-conditioning system. Central HRV units start at about $1,000 plus installation.

Rathey notes that attached garages can be a health hazard because of gasoline fumes. An exhaust fan, run on a timer, helps rid the garage of toxic substances. Be sure the door into the house has weather stripping in good condition.

For other ways to improve your home’s health, consult The Healthy House Institute Web site (www.healthyhouseinstitute.com). Also see the home health maintenance checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing (www.nchh.org, and search for “maintenance checklist”) to spot problems before they get out of control.

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