When we talk about air pollution, we often only think about the air outside. However, indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a huge role in the health of a home. Did you know that the air inside of homes is often 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside? In extreme cases, indoor air can even be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside! Too many people do not realize that poor indoor air quality can create an extremely unhealthy living environment for you and your family. Continue reading to learn more about poor indoor air quality and why healthy indoor air is so important.
What Causes Unhealthy Air?
Before we can discuss why healthy indoor air quality is so important, we must understand exactly what causes indoor air problems. Your IAQ can be affected by a combination of factors, including the things you bring inside, activities that take place inside, the climate, ventilation, and more.
Some of the most common sources of indoor air quality include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Excess moisture
- Chemical cleaning products
- Aerosol products
- Dust
- Dander
- Fireplaces
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Paints
- Pesticides
- Mold
- Mildew
- Gas stoves
- Pollen
- Viruses
- Bacteria
These sources combined with a lack of proper ventilation in a home can cause your family to suffer. Without proper ventilation, these contaminants continue to increase in numbers and your risk of exposure is very high. Depending on the type of pollutants present in your home and the level of exposure you experience, you and your loved ones can be significantly affected.
How Poor Indoor Air Quality Affects You
According to the EPA, we often spend approximately 90% of our time indoors. That means that if we are spending 90% of our time in an environment with unhealthy air, our chances of exposure to pollutants are extremely high. If left undetected or untreated, unhealthy indoor air quality can have a major impact on your health. Symptoms of poor air quality range from minor to debilitating depending on the contaminants present and the length of exposure.
All of the symptoms associated with unhealthy air include:
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Sneezing
- Sinus congestion
- Coughing
- Asthma attacks
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Respiratory infections
- Cancer
- Heart disease
Because the less-severe symptoms of poor IAQ are so similar to those of allergies or the common cold and flu, it can be difficult to determine the true cause. However, there are a few things that can help you determine if the cause of your symptoms is unhealthy air.
For instance, if you notice that your symptoms are relieved upon leaving your house for extended periods of time, this is a huge sign that you are suffering from poor IAQ at home. Also, there are several signs you can look for inside of your home to know if you have poor IAQ.
These signs include:
- One or more members of your household smokes inside of the house
- There is a lot of dust buildup around your vents
- There is an excessive amount of dust throughout your home
- One or more areas in your home have musty odors
- There is mold present in your home
If you are experiencing symptoms and have noticed that any of the above signs apply to your home, it is time to call in a team of indoor air quality professionals as soon as possible. A professional can assess your air problems and offer customized solutions that are guaranteed to help you breath easier right away.
Premier Indoor Comfort Systems Is Here to Help
Breathing in clean, fresh air is critical for your health. If you suspect that your home is suffering from poor IAQ, we recommend reaching out to our team right away. Your health and safety are our top priorities, which is why you can trust that we will carefully evaluate your air quality and determine the best possible solution. Our team offers a variety of indoor air quality solutions, which allows us to take care of any indoor air problem you may be dealing with. We offer top-of-the-line air cleaners, air filters, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, duct cleaning and repair services, duct testing services, energy recovery ventilators, exhaust fans, humidifiers, UV germicidal lights, and ventilation control systems.
To learn more about how we can improve your indoor air quality, give us a call at (770) 268-2422. We look forward to hearing from you!