Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) often goes unthought of in most people’s home and businesses, but if left neglected IAQ can have detrimental health effects. Recently the EPA found people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors with air quality 2-5 times more polluted than outside air. For most, this may come as a shock, but there is a reason the EPA has rated IAQ as a top 5 environmental danger. With strong links to pediatric asthma and allergy development, indoor air quality is an issue that should not be taken lightly in your family’s home.

Symptoms you may experience from poor IAQ may vary depending on the particular contaminant exposure. Often times IAQ symptoms are mistaken for allergies, stress, colds or the flu.

Some of the symptoms of poor indoor air quality are:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Upper respiratory congestion
• Nasal congestion
• Nose bleeds
• Sore throat

Poor indoor air quality can contribute to the development of or amplify these problems:

• Infections
• Lung cancer
• Chronic lung diseases
• Asthma
• Heart disease
• Rashes
• Fever
• Hearing loss
• Myalgia

Indoor air quality is affected by anything that releases gas or particles. The most common causes of poor indoor air quality are:

• Inadequate ventilation – contaminated air can’t escape, fresh air can’t get in
• Unmaintained heating and air conditioning systems accumulate dust and circulate poor air quality
• Dampness due to floods, leaks or high humidity – creates mold and bacteria
• Occupant activities – cleaning, personal care, construction, smoking
• Combustion – burning of some form of fuel
• Old/outdated building materials – asbestos, wood treated with formaldehyde

What can you do to improve the air quality in your home?

• Use proper ventilation around fuel burning appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, ranges and heaters
• Change and maintain the air filters in your home or upgrade your filtration system
• Control the moisture in your home – use a dehumidifier if necessary and clean your humidifiers and dehumidifiers regularly
• Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
• Use proper ventilation when cleaning, painting or using harsh chemical products in the home
• Test for Radon
• Don’t smoke inside
• Keep your house clean – wash bedding, use a HEPA vacuum cleaner, and leave shoes at the door.
• Leave asbestos to the professionals!

If you have any questions about the air quality in your home and how to improve it please contact us today or request service online.