Bad Indoor Air Quality is the silent, unseen threat to your health that can creep up on you any day of the year. For some, it is an occasional problem that manifests with symptoms like coughs or sore throats. For others, it is a chronic issue that requires constant attention and maintenance. While poor indoor air quality isn’t considered a serious concern for most Americans, a serious case can lead to serious health problems. Below are the most common signs of a bad indoor air quality:
You Can’tokexplode Your home may be full of smoke or other evidence of an indoor air crisis but you may not be aware of it. Cooking affects the quality of indoor air because heat rises and air cool. If you have poor insulation in your kitchen, it makes it harder for the heat to rise and thus it stays longer in the air instead of being conducted out into space. Likewise, if your furnace is running excessively, it can also contribute to poor indoor air quality because hot air rises as well. If either of these are the case in your home, get the furnace serviced promptly to check for the cause. While there are many contributing factors to poor indoor air quality, having your furnace serviced can help identify a problem and resolve it before it becomes a potentially serious issue.
Moisture And Other Factors A steady supply of water in your home helps maintain consistent indoor air quality because water plays an important role in keeping the air moist and cool. On the flip side, when your home has a lot of moisture in the air, that contributes to the formation of mold and other biological contaminants. It is often difficult to eradicate mold entirely from a home, but you can significantly reduce the growth of mold in your home by regularly checking and replacing the moisture in the air with water or other forms of alternative air moisture removers. Be sure to ventilate your home after any major remodeling or construction work to allow for adequate drying of the home. If you find leaks in the ceiling or wall, have them repaired immediately to avoid the formation of mold and other biological contaminants.
Bad Ventilation Another factor contributing to poor indoor air quality in homes is poor ventilation. If there is inadequate ventilation in your home, the heat and moisture from inside can escape and reach outside through uncovered windows or doors. While some may see this as a simple supply of ventilation, it can lead to an accumulation of dirt and other pollutants in the air that can exacerbate health problems. If you want to improve your ventilation in your home, it is often a good idea to install large floor windows near exterior doors so that the warm air coming from inside can be directed outside. Additionally, consider getting a professional ventilation system to improve the circulation in your home.
Insects and Mites Another problem you might not initially consider is that insects, such as dust mites, can cause health problems inside your home. While many people take a general approach and think they are doing all they can to control pest problems in their home, there are times when they don’t know enough about the specific species of bugs inside their house to make the right choice. Therefore, you should take a comprehensive approach to identifying and eliminating any major insect infestation.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Though one of the most obvious issues, poor indoor air quality can also have serious long-term consequences. People suffering from respiratory issues and allergies have long-term symptoms that can cause much more trouble down the line. In fact, people with asthma and allergies have a much higher risk of developing a serious chronic illness than those without those conditions. A number of different types of cancer can develop if someone in your home is continually breathing in poor quality air. Thus, making sure that your air quality is kept at a high level is imperative if you want to protect your family from this dangerous threat.
