Welcome to 2018 – a year when indoor air pollution is something that leads to many health disorders and something that has significant and harmful health effects. According to many studies, the human exposure to air pollutants is nowadays two to five times – and in many cases more than 100 times – higher than outdoor levels.
Obviously, this is a major concern because most people nowadays spend about 90% of their time indoors. Therefore, it is important to get proper indoor air quality (IAQ) management by doing the following:
- Control the airborne pollutants in your home
- Distribution of adequate outdoor air inside your home
- Maintenance and acceptable levels of temperature and humidity
The truth is, temperature and humidity should not be overlooked. Thermal comfort nowadays concerns many complaints about “poor air quality” and these are two of the many factors that affect indoor contaminant levels.
Outdoor sources should also be taken into consideration – mostly because outdoor air enters school buildings through windows, doors and ventilation systems. Therefore, transportation and maintenance activities are also factors that affect the indoor pollutant levels.
Over the past few years, there have been many studies performed by EPA and the Science Advisory Board (SAB) that ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. Indoor air quality is, therefore, an important component of a healthy indoor environment and can help both homeowners, schools and facilities to reach their primary goal of ensuring a proper environment for their family, children, and workers.
In other words, failure to prevent or respond to indoor air quality in a prompt way can lead to the following:
- Long and short-term health problems
- Eye irritation
- Skin rashes
- Allergic reactions
- Life-threatening conditions
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
On top of this, indoor air quality (IAQ) can aggravate asthma and other respiratory issues. In times when nearly 1 in 13 children has asthma or suffers from respiratory issues, poor indoor air quality can also:
- Impact student attendance in school as well as their comfort and performance
- Decrease productivity and staff performance
- Accelerate the deterioration and reduce the efficiency of any institution
- Create negative publicity
- Create liability issues
- Strain relationships
- Increase potential for institution closings or relocation of occupants
When it comes to the actual and recognized impacts on health, well-being, the symptoms of poor indoor air quality include:
- Shortness of breath
- Sinus congestion
Most of the Australians spend significant amounts of time indoors. Whether it’s the home, office or other types of buildings, there are pollutants present basically everywhere – causing headaches, eye irritation, allergies and fatigue.
The serious pollutants can also cause certain types of cancers and other forms of long-term health complications. Common indoor air pollutants include:
- Second-hand smoke – This is a serious indoor air pollutant which can be especially dangerous for asthma sufferers, increase risks of ear infections and increase risks for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
- Radon – Radon is a dangerous gas pollutant identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer. It can enter homes through cracks and other improperly sealed openings.
- Combustion Pollutants – These can include carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide – coming from burning materials or improperly vented fuel-burning appliances including wood stoves, gas stoves, water heaters, dryers, fireplaces and space heaters.
If you are living in Ottawa or any of the surrounding areas and cities, odds are that you are spending a good portion of your time indoors – with little exchange of air. Research shows that the average person nowadays spends up to 90% of their time indoors and about 65% of it in their home.
Knowing that the air inside your home is 7 to 10 times more polluted than the one outside, the importance of indoor air quality is painfully obvious nowadays. But what can you do about it?
The best way to control your indoor air quality is to contact our team of experts and ensure that your indoor air is free of mold, radon, dust mites, allergens or any other harmful ingredients.
At Simon Air Quality, we are trained and experienced to show you that the air in your home isn’t as light as it seems. By contacting us today, you can schedule an inspection and see how to improve your indoor air quality.
We are waiting for your call!