Now Is the Time To Check on Indoor Air Quality for Wellness
August is that lovely transition time between the summertime heat and fun and the fall cool and school. As previously stated, it is also a time set aside to consider wellness. Every person who has a basic knowledge of the world understands that pollution is a problem humans are constantly fighting against. The quality of air has a great impact on the quality of life in an area. This counts for both inside and outside the home. In some situations, indoor pollution can be even worse than what is out of doors.
A Brief Explanation of Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality or IAQ measures the level of pollutants within a building, whether home or business. This is affected by outdoor air quality, machines and appliances used indoors, and air conditioning filters. It can also be affected by the daily habits of the people within the space.
What Pollutants Are Indoors?
- Allergens
- Tobacco smoke
- Pollen
- Particulate matter
- Mold
- Mildew
- Pesticides
- Household cleaning products
- Solvents and glues used in crafting
- Deteriorated building materials
Some of these pollution sources emit their particles nearly continuously, while others are only occasionally a problem because they are used on an intermittent basis. These can find their way into the ducts of a traditional HVAC system and spread around a home. This can lead to a higher concentration of pollution indoors than out.
How Can Indoor Air Quality Affect Health?
While immediate effects of poor indoor air quality may seem minor and tend to bother the most vulnerable populations, there can be severe and long-lasting effects from continued exposure.
Immediate Symptoms of Poor IAQ:
- Eye Irritation
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sore Throat
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Difficulty Breathing
These symptoms are fairly simple to treat and can be improved merely by leaving the space where the pollutant exists. Again these tend to affect the most vulnerable populations, such as those with preexisting conditions (asthma and allergies), children, and the elderly. The long-term effects of poor IAQ are much worse.
Long Term Effects of Poor IAQ:
- Heart Disease
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Emphysema
- Cancer
These symptoms can result from exposure that does not cause problems for a long time or from repeated and long-lasting exposure to the pollutants. While this may sound dire, there are many ways to prevent this sort of exposure, including wearing a mask and other recommended safety gear when working with machinery or solvents. Within a home, it's also important to make sure the ventilation is working properly, and the HVAC unit has clean filters.
About ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc.
ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc. has served Ellensburg, WA for more than 30 years. They offer 24-hour emergency service and straightforward pricing. The work of their background-checked technicians is 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Call now for indoor air quality service!
