Your Indoor Air Quality

People spend 90% of their time indoors and indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has indoor air quality ranked as one of the top 5 environmental dangers. It is linked to severe asthma and allergy development in children and to heart problems and lung cancer in children and adults.

Symptoms depend on the particular contaminant and are sometimes 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 exasperate 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 get out, fresh air can’t get in

Unmaintained heating and air conditioning systems

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Old/outdated building materials – asbestos, wood treated with formaldehyde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

Replace and maintain the air filters in your home

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.

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.