How to Know if You’re Polluting Your Indoor Air Quality

Watch for signs you're polluting your own indoor air.

Not many people know the importance of one’s indoor air quality. If your home has poor indoor air quality, it can cause many problems for household members. Allergies and respiratory problems, such as coughing and sneezing, are just a few of the many effects of exposure to bad air quality.

When someone mentions the word "air pollution," you immediately think of exhaust from cars and smoke from factories. All of the things you can imagine that air pollution means originate from outside your home.

However, did you know you also have air pollution inside your home? Here are some of the sources of pollution that can affect your indoor air quality.

Smoking

The source of smoke that causes air pollution not only originates from cars and factories. Smoke from cigarettes and tobacco is a major source of air pollution that contributes to poor air quality.

It’s no secret that smoking can be dangerous not only to the smoker’s health but also to the people around the smoker. The harmful smoke can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, heart disease, and more. Even though some air purifiers can clear out some of the toxins from the smoke, it’s not guaranteed they’ll remove everything from the air you breathe.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is considered to be a dangerous gas. Exposure to the gas for long periods can cause issues such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and more. Suppose someone is exposed to the gas in high concentration. In that case, it can cause an even more fatal effect, like carbon monoxide poisoning. Such a gas can be found in common household items, such as gas stoves, ovens, chimneys, etc., that pollute your indoor air quality.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a fiber used in many construction materials for its fire-resistant, insulating, and sound-proofing traits. Many older homes contain asbestos in their insulation fibers, which can remain invisible for a long time. As long as it’s undisturbed, It’s harmless. But if movement is applied to those fibers, they can be an air pollutant in the house and very dangerous when inhaled.

Dust, Pet Dander, Etc.

These are the most common causes of air pollution in your home. Dust, unfortunately, is something we can’t fully and permanently remove. Dust comes from different sources, such as dead skin cells, pet dander, pollen, and more. This can create problems by causing allergic reactions in children and adults. Dust is an even bigger threat if someone in your household suffers from asthma since it can aggravate the condition even further.

Facing your enemy is tough, but facing an unseen one is even tougher. We may not see what we’re up against, but that doesn’t mean we can't do anything about it.

Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

You’re guaranteed to breathe cleaner, fresher, and safer air by keeping good indoor air quality. This can be done by using vents when cooking or using your fireplace. Keep your rugs, carpets, and plush furniture and toys clean. If you’re in the countryside that offers free, fresh air, open your windows and let fresh air in. Boost that fresh air quality by keeping plants and greenery inside.

Keeping tabs on your HVAC, air purifiers, and air filters is also essential to boost your indoor air quality. This is to ensure you reduce pollutants in your air. Change your air filters and consider getting regular maintenance and cleaning for your HVAC. This can help remove the impurities accumulated in your system. This also ensures you’ll have fresher, cleaner, and safer air for you and your family.

Keep your air clean and improve your indoor air quality with the help of our qualified air duct cleaners! Call us at Grand Rapids Duct Cleaners, and let’s talk!