Indoor Air Quality
How clean is the air you breathe at home/work?
When most people think of cleanliness at home or at work, they think about cleanliness of the visible surfaces; the walls, the windows, the floors, the furniture, the fixtures, etc. However, what about the air? Indoor air quality is just as important as any other aspect of hygiene. If the air you’re breathing at home/work is not clean, you stand to get sick.
Unfortunately, because the air we breathe cannot be seen, the issue tends to be a matter of ‘out of mind, out of sight’. And because of that oversight, millions of people across the US alone are suffering from various illnesses and complications brought about by poor indoor air quality.
Common contaminants of indoor air
Indoor air contains a lot of contaminants. And it is almost impossible to eradicate these contaminants completely. However, by maintaining normal hygiene measures, you can maintain a fairly safe level of air quality at home and at work.
Some of the common air contaminants include:
- Human hair
- Pet hair
- Fabric fibers
- Mold spores
- Bacteria and other pathogens
Signs that mold is affecting your indoor air quality
All other indoor air contaminants aside, there are some signs that point straight to mold issues. If you know these signs then it’s very easy to narrow down the problem and call in a mold inspection team to point out where the mold growth is. So, what are some of these signs of mold infestation?
- Skin irritation
- Eye irritation
- Throat irritation
- Difficulty breathing/respiratory problems/asthma
- Heavy musky smell/odor of mold
If you detect one or a combination of the above signs then it’s safe to assume that you have a mold risk within your premises. Of course, you will only know for sure if you have mold once a mold inspection team comes by and scours through the place.
Effects of poor indoor air quality
As you can imagine, poor indoor air quality has no upside to it. The only result is poor health for you and your family members. How bad can it get? It depends on how long the problem persists and how bad the contamination is.
Some of the common effects include:
- Triggering asthma and other respiratory problems
- Allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing, and irritation
- Medical bills from allergy medications and doctor visits
- Lack of peace of mind
Some of the things you can do to improve your indoor air quality
- Clean your house regularly – regular cleaning will avoid a buildup of dirt and other pathogens that are likely to make you sick.
- Vacuum your carpets and rags often – Carpets and rags placed on floors collect most of the dirt around the house and tend to release it back into the air once they are stepped upon or moved about.
- Have your air ducts cleaned – If you have never had your air ducts cleaned, they could be harboring dust, dirt, hair, and even pest droppings.
- Maintain your air conditioning unit and have its filters cleaned regularly – Your AC unit does a great job of purifying your indoor air. However, you have to keep it well maintained and especially to clean its filters often.
- Move away from the urban environment – If you can, moving into the suburbs and rural areas will allow you to enjoy fresher air away from the pollution of the urban setting.