Air Pollution in the Home and Its Effects on Health
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, particularly as it relates to building occupants' health and comfort. Understanding and controlling common indoor pollutants can help you reduce your risk of indoor health issues.
Indoor air pollutants can have a negative impact on your health right away or years later.
What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?
For centuries, walls, windows, and doors have kept unwanted people and elements out. However, whether the air is good or bad, it will enter a home at some point, bringing with it airborne irritants that can harm us.
Viruses in the Air
When people exhale, aerosol particles and droplets of respiratory fluids containing viruses into the air spread viruses like the coronavirus and influenza (e.g., quiet breathing, speaking, singing, exercise, coughing, sneezing).
When the infectious droplets and particles are exhaled, they carry the virus and infect others. Because indoor air quality is enclosed, airborne virus droplets are contained and accumulate in the air or space of the room.
Chemicals and Household Products
Cleaning products, while helpful in keeping your home clean, may emit hazardous airborne chemicals. Personal care and beauty products, paints, pesticides, and disinfectants are just a few of the items you may bring into the house that can degrade indoor air quality.
Outdoor-Indoor Allergens
Allergens that are naturally present outside but become concentrated indoors can aggravate allergies and asthma. Allergens can be emitted by pests such as cockroaches, mice, and dust mites.
They can also be released by organisms in the form of pollen or mold. Almost every home contains some form of allergen. Allergens are imperceptible to the naked eye and can be found on surfaces and in a variety of other places.
Allergens interact with people's immune systems, triggering an immune response even if they haven't been infected with a disease-causing organism. As a result, poor indoor air quality endangers people who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Important Takeaways
Monitor your indoor air quality and learn how to improve air quality in your home to avoid future health issues, discomfort, and serious complications. Air quality is an important metric to understand and monitor for the sake of your health and the health of those who live or visit the space you manage. Contact BEAM HVAC today to get your indoor air quality checked.
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