If someone mentions the words “air pollution” you might think of car exhaust or billowing clouds of smoke coming out of a factory or refinery. You may even picture a city with a layer of dirty brown smog hovering over the tips of skyscrapers. All of these things are outside your home. Have you ever taken a moment to think about if there is air pollution inside your home? And what are the implications if there is? The truth is that the air in your home might not be as fresh and clean as you would hope. Indoor air pollution can silently appear and cause a myriad of problems.
What causes indoor air pollution?
Air pollution can be caused by many things, including but not limited to the following:
- Gas-powered appliances such as stoves, ovens, and heaters
- Commercial cleaners and disinfectants
- Paint
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Tobacco Products
- Poor ventilation
Even air fresheners can contribute by adding toxic chemicals to the air you breathe. Outdoor air pollution also poses a threat to the quality of the indoor air that you spend the majority of your day breathing.
What are the signs and effects of indoor air pollution?
Some signs of poor indoor air quality include stuffy air, excessive humidity, and noticeable odors. You can also be on the lookout for the effects and symptoms listed below.
There are many adverse effects that can be caused by indoor air pollution. Some immediate effects include eye, throat, and nose irritation, headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Because some of these effects can be experienced with common illnesses, it is essential to note when you are experiencing these symptoms. Do your symptoms clear when you leave your house or spend time outdoors?
If left unmanaged, indoor air pollution can have much more severe and long-lasting effects. These can include heart disease, lung disease, and even cancer.
How can you improve the air in your home?
It is essential to ensure fresh air is being circulated with the current air in your home. On a basic level, if your existing ventilation system is inadequate, you can open windows and doors to let in the fresh air. Keeping your house clean and free of clutter can also help. When cleaning, don’t forget to clean curtains, bedding, and other “out of sight, out of mind” objects in your home that are great dust collectors. It is also essential to make sure that your HVAC equipment is maintained and clean and that your air filters are regularly changed.
If you want to step it up a notch, you could do all the above and add air filters throughout your home. You could also make sure you use a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.
If you want to control the air quality in your home, you need to be accountable for the air you are letting in. Unwanted air can enter your home via cracks in the floors, walls, roofs, and poorly sealed windows and doors. Creating an airtight home envelope will allow you to control what air you let in. Many people will tell you that you don’t want your home to be “too tight.” But the motto in building science is to “seal tight and ventilate right.” As long as you are ventilating your home correctly, there is no such thing as your home being too tight.
RetroFoam of the Carolinas would love to help you create the best and healthiest possible environment for you and your family. Our products allow you to create an airtight home by sealing unwanted nooks and crannies. Not only does this keep unwanted air from entering your home, but it also keeps unwanted moisture out. We use eco-friendly foams with low VOCs to keep your home and family happy and healthy. Contact a foam expert today to find out how we can help.
