Indoor pollution levels are high. The EPA reports indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air and there are dozens of potential contaminants that put us at risk. We are inside buildings most of the day and night, breathing in these pollutants. Prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants can cause a variety of health issues, including asthma-like symptoms, allergies, and others. Learn the top causes of indoor air pollution to protect yourself and your loved ones from danger.
Top Causes of Indoor Air Pollution
The EPA reports the top causes of indoor air pollutants to include:
- Excessive Moisture
- Mold and Mildew
- Tobacco Smoke
- Household Products & Pesticides
- Dust Particles
These pollutants can have negative effects on our health with prolonged exposure. They also make the inside of a home uncomfortable, causing stale air, dampness, musty odors, and other problems. To stay healthy and maintain the structure and livability of your home, keeping pollutants out is essential.
Excess moisture is one of the most commonly recognized signs of indoor pollution. Moisture affects human health and the quality of the building itself. It may lead to problems with the plumbing or septic system, wood materials in your home, electricity, and more.
Mold and mildew can wreck a home and cause hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage in no time. Mold and mildew also affect our respiratory system and can lead to allergies or asthma or worsened symptoms for those already affected.
Tobacco smoke is one of the worst causes of indoor air pollution. Tobacco smoke harms humans as well as the air quality. Household products and pesticides can cause breathing difficulties and even skin irritations.
Dust particles, aka dust bunnies and dust mites, also lead to problems of various sorts, including itchy, inflamed skin and issues with the home.
Tips to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution
Maintain healthy air in your home and avoid pollution by implementing the following tips into your lifestyle.
- Indoor air may contain chemicals from sources including air fresheners, household cleaners, hair spray, and others. In low concentrations, these chemicals are harmless but can build up inside a house since they cannot dissipate.
- If you smoke, it’s best to plan on quitting now. If you aren’t ready to kick the habit, make sure you take cigarette smoke outside. Even secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer. Smoke odors linger in a house and cause significant pollution.
- Do not cover up odors with air fresheners. Instead, find the source of the odor and get it out of the house. Baking soda is a natural odor eliminator until you locate the source of the odor.
- Pests containment homes and fill the air with airborne pollutants that can make you and your family sick. Proper pest control keeps pests out of the house.
- Use natural household cleaning products. They accomplish the same feat as other cleaners without the added chemicals that only pollute the air.
- Clean floors on a regular basis. Most experts recommend at least weekly mopping and vacuuming. Cleaning the floors removes dust that settles there and improves indoor air quality.
- Keep pets clean. We love our beloved animals but they’re huge sources of contamination. Keep pets off furniture to minimize pollutants.
- Clean the house regularly. Dusting is an often forgotten chore but one that is extremely important. Never allow dust to build up in the home because it is one of the top causes of air contamination.
These indoor air pollutants can contaminate your home or you can take action and fight back. The tips here can help control pollution in your home.
Rice Heating and Air are a full-service HVAC Contractor headquartered in Alma, AR. The company specializes in air conditioning repair, AC installations, indoor air quality systems, heating repair, and furnace installations. Rice Heating and Air are focused on helping homeowners and businesses stay comfortable year-round. We are your comfort experts.
Call us today for any of your heating and cooling needs.
