Avoid These Dangers by Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

You may find that you spend a lot of time indoors, but did you know that many daily activities lead to poor indoor air quality (IAQ)? If you’re going to be consistently breathing this air, don’t you want to make sure it’s the best it can be? Understanding the dangers of common pollutants and how to take care of them will provide you with a much better indoor environment.

Your Health and Indoor Air Quality

Poor IAQ refers to the contaminants found in your home’s indoor environment. It can cause respiratory issues such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. It also leads to irritation of the nose, throat and eyes. If you already suffer from allergies or asthma, continuous exposure to contaminants like dust mites, mold and pet dander can make you feel worse.

Poor IAQ can make individuals with respiratory issues more susceptible to respiratory infections. This includes bronchitis and pneumonia. There are even studies linking long-term exposure to poor IAQ to a higher risk for stroke or heart disease. Furthermore, certain indoor pollutants, such as asbestos and radon, increase your chance of contracting lung cancer.

At the very least, poor IAQ can cause frequent headaches, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. This has become such a big problem that they now have a name for it. It’s called “sick building syndrome.”

What Causes Poor IAQ?

Many things in your home create combustion, which contributes to the release of harmful pollutants into the air. Some of these things are obvious, such as using tobacco products, pesticides and chemical cleaners. Others are a bit of a surprise, like paints, stoves, and wood or coal heating systems. Even something as wonderful as having a pet can be partly responsible for poor IAQ.

How to Improve Your Indoor Environment

Increasing the airflow in your home goes a long way when it comes to reducing the risk of mold growth and removing contaminants from the air. An easy way to do this is to open your windows and doors, but this isn’t always an option.

Fortunately, several items can greatly improve your home’s IAQ. These include:

• Air purifiers
• Dehumidifiers
• Electronic media filters
• Ultraviolet light
• Ventilation systems
• Fan exhaust systems

By doing your best to eliminate contaminants in your home, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier and more comfortable indoor space. We can further help you by recommending and installing air purification systems and devices that will improve the quality of the air you breathe. Call Ridge AC in Panama City, FL now to learn more about our indoor air quality solutions.