We hear a lot about outdoor air pollution, but the reality is that many of us spend most of our days indoors. For example, the Child Mind Institute recently reported that the average American child only spends around 4 to 7 minutes playing outdoors each day.
It’s not much better for adults, with the EPA reporting that most people spend 90% of their time indoors. With so much time spent between four walls, the quality of the air we breathe really matters. And for many, the quality is poor.
Let’s take a quick look at how indoor air quality can affect your health and what you can do about it.
Pollutants in Our Homes and Workplaces
Pollutants can come into our homes from outdoors through the windows and ventilation grills. This includes vehicle emissions, gasses emitted by industry, and agricultural pollutants.
However, there are also many sources of pollutants in the home itself. These include the following:
- Smoking
- Heating with solid fuels
- Cooking
- Cleaning products
- Off-gassing from furniture and construction materials
- Mold
- Allergens, such as pet dander and dust mite feces
- Radon
If you have a furnace, gas stove, or attached garage, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is an additional risk. This odorless gas can have serious and even fatal consequences.
The Link Between Indoor Air Quality and Your Health
Sometimes the symptoms your family members exhibit show something is wrong with the indoor air quality in your home. For example, they may develop the following allergy symptoms:
- Blocked sinuses
- Headaches
- Poor sleep
- Sneezing
- Itchy/watery eyes
These symptoms could be caused by allergies to many of the pollutants mentioned above. They may seem trivial, but they can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. Also, in people with asthma, allergens can cause serious attacks, which can sometimes be fatal.
Getting a home allergen test will help you know what you’re dealing with and provide an action plan for improving indoor air quality.
Identifying Silent Killers
As mentioned, carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, yet it can kill. Mild exposure may produce symptoms including headaches, dizziness, stomach pains, and vomiting. However, if you are asleep when you are exposed to CO, it can cause death without producing any symptoms.
Radon is also odorless, and it doesn’t produce symptoms immediately. However, this naturally occurring yet dangerous gas can seep out of the ground and into your home. If you are exposed to it for an extended period, it can cause lung cancer.
How Air Quality Consultants Can Help
If you suspect that your indoor air quality–at home or at work–is affecting your health, talk to Air Quality Inc.
Our consultants can carry out indoor air quality testing that will identify what’s going on in your home or workplace. There’s no need to waste time and money on guesswork. Our detailed reports will identify any issues and provide guidance on how to resolve them.
Contact us today at (757) 650-0996 or reach out online, and a representative will contact you within one business day.
