Indoor Air Quality
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
The quality of air inside your home is very important for the health of you and your family. Air pollution that is a significant problem in cities can cause the same issues inside your home. Even though efforts are being made to improve the quality of the air outside, it still remains a huge problem in many areas, leading to a variety of health issues. Inside your home, the ordinary activities of cooking, cooling, heating, cleaning, and redecorating can cause the release and spread of harmful pollutants, causing indoor air quality problems.
Biological pollutants are living organisms that promote poor indoor air quality and may cause days lost from work or school, and doctor or hospital visits. They travel through the air, often unseen. Common indoor biological pollutants that affect the average homeowner are animal dander, dust mites, infectious agents, and pollen. These pollutants are in every home and while it’s impossible to remove them all, it isn’t impossible to prevent them from spreading.
Biological pollutants spread in many different ways, but the two most common conditions that promote the spread is nutrients and moisture. These conditions are found in moisture-rich places such as damp basements, bathrooms, sinks, wet appliances such as humidifiers or air conditioners, carpets, and furniture. Controlling the moisture level in the air of the home is essential to controlling and preventing the growth of the biological pollutants.
People that suffer from asthma have to be especially cautious when it comes to indoor air quality because of their sensitive airways that can be easily irritated, making breathing especially difficult.
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Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air pollution symptoms run the gamut from benign to devastating. Some pollutants give you a bad case of hay fever, but others are carcinogens that can have devastating effects on long-term health. Even mild symptoms can damage your quality of life, so put your comfort at a premium. Signs of indoor pollution include:
Allergic Rhinitis
Indoor allergens can cause hay fever, sinus, asthma, and postnasal drip. Tobacco smoke is the most common cause of allergic sensitization. IgE is your body’s allergy antibody, and when your body is triggered to produce IgE, sneezing and wheezing are a short distance behind. Tobacco smoke also promotes IgE production, making you over-sensitized to allergens. That can cause chronic bronchitis, dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis.
Headaches
Headaches are your body’s way of warning you that something’s amiss. At their most benign, they’re merely a symptom of sinusitis or minor illness, but at their worst, they’re a response to toxic compounds like benzene, nitrogen dioxide, lead, or pesticides. Modern homes usually comply with environmental health regulations, but malfunctioning appliances can introduce toxic chemicals into your air.
Chronic Coughs
An irritating cough and eye irritation might be symptoms of black mold exposure. Mold poisoning can also cause chronic fatigue, impaired immune response, and watery eyes.
Cramps, Fatigue, and Itching
Too much humidity can be surprisingly destructive. When levels rise above 60%, they can cause overheating, which causes rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and exhaustion. Heatstroke follows closely behind, but the long-term effects are even scarier. Viruses and bacteria thrive in humid conditions, so if there’s a bug going around, you’re more likely to catch it.
Unexplained Odors
A scentless house is usually a healthy house. If you’re detecting an unappealing smell, something is off balance. Sulfur dioxide, ethylene, and ammonia are odorous and dangerous, so if you’re picking up a chemical scent, you need an assessment. A rotten egg smell could signal a gas leak or escaping sewer gas. Your plumbing might need to be checked. A musty scent can be a sign of mold, and an animal-like scent could mean a rodent infestation.
Dust
Dust is a common allergen that causes asthma, wheezing, and skin irritation. Particles can settle into your airways, injuring the lungs and causing scarring.
Keep your air healthy and your family happy with Southern Pride Service. With a quarter-century of service excellence behind us, we’ll clear your air in no time.
There are many ways to control the moisture in your home:
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture in the air and ensure they are well maintained so they aren’t the sources of biological pollutant growth.