Have you ever wondered what affects your indoor air quality? Here are some things to think about.
Most people are aware of pollution in the outdoor atmosphere but some never really think about the indoor air quality of their homes or offices. In large cities where there is a great deal of smog due to traffic and manufacturing plants,
residents have been adversely affected. Illnesses and breathing difficulties have occurred when there are too many particulates and pollution in the air. Most municipalities have made laws that result in cleaner air. Some examples include smog or emissions tests on automobiles and EPA regulations for factories.
Regarding smog tests, in order to register a vehicle in these areas, the motorists must take their cars to a testing site and have them inspected. If there are problems that are causing emissions of pollutants, the drivers must have the issues repaired. After a car is repaired, it must be brought back for another test. Once it's deemed clear, the vehicle's owner will receive a passing report and be able to register the auto. But inside homes and buildings can also become filled with problematic air. Consider these factors:
- Inadequate ventilation: In order to have a clean atmosphere in one's home, there must be adequate ventilation. In the old days, buildings were not very airtight. Windows and doors with screens were opened at various times to cool the home and central HVAC systems weren't yet invented. Now, homes are sealed up tight to keep them insulated which is a good thing if there are vents in the system, too. In order to keep pollutants from building up in a house, there must be enough airflow.
- Substances that emit indoor fumes: There are lots of items used inside houses that become problematic without venting and airflow. Some examples are:
- Tobacco: When cigarette smokers puff away inside, this builds up in the atmosphere and on furnishings.
- Pest control: Spraying bugs may get rid of the creepy crawlies but it also leaves a residue of toxins. This must be balanced by enough moving air through vents.
- Fireplaces and woodstoves: Heating up the home with a wood fire can be cozy and effective. Without proper ventilation, the rooms can become smoky and hazardous to human lungs.
- Cleansers and beauty products: Scrubbing out the tub or sinks with handy-dandy cleansers can produce a sparkling result but can also fill the house with chemicals. Beauty products such as hair spray or fingernail polish remover can make one's coif stay in place and manicures look spiffy. If there's not enough air moving through the home, these items can be detrimental to health of inhabitants.
- Mold or mildew: These substances often grow in damp spaces where leaks have occurred or moisture has built up.
- Illnesses that may occur: There are various maladies that may occur if there is poor indoor air quality.
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Stomachaches
- Sore throats
- Even cancer if asbestos is the pollutant
It's important to have healthy indoor air quality. Cleaning ductwork, installing more vents and sealing roof leaks are all ways to improve it.
