How Does Poor IAQ Impact Your Health?
One of the most influential factors on your health is something you can’t see — air. Indoor air quality (IAQ) can seriously threaten your health and that of those around you. If pollutants or chemicals enter the air, you may see uncomfortable or dangerous health effects, even after just one exposure. Keep reading to learn more about how Indoor Air Quality impacts your health and how to improve it.
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains, “Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to air quality within and around a building or structure.” IAQ is often brought up when discussing the effects of IAQ on the health of the occupants. Several factors can improve or diminish indoor air quality, directly impacting the health and comfort of those who breathe it in.
Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants
When a chemical, physical, or biological pollutant contaminates the air, it can cause severe damage to the health of the occupants and the condition of the environment. Common top sources of indoor air pollution are:
- Biological agents: Bacteria, mold, mildew, pollen, pet dander, and viruses can cause your indoor air quality to decrease.
- Tobacco smoke: Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes release harmful chemicals that impact your health.
- Fuel-burning appliances: Fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, and gas stoves can release harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, radon, and nitrogen dioxide.
- Building materials: Some building materials, such as particleboard, floor tiles, and ceiling tiles, can release volatile organic compounds such as asbestos over time or if disturbed.
- Radon: Cracks in concrete walls and floors, sumps, dirt floors, and floor drains can allow radon, a radioactive gas, to seep into your home.
- Household products: Personal care products, cleaning supplies, and pesticides can release pollutants into the air.
How Indoor Air Quality Affects Your Health
Poor indoor air quality can have a severe effect on your health. If you breathe in pollutants in the air, you can see symptoms even after just one exposure. The most common symptoms of poor air quality include:
- Respiratory issues
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
While these symptoms may be short-lived and easily treated, continuous exposure to these pollutants can result in extreme health effects such as cancer, infections, or stroke. Poor indoor air quality can also aggravate pre-existing ailments such as allergies, asthma, or lung conditions.
The effect of air pollutants will vary by person and the level of exposure. Some effects may show up only after continuous periods of exposure or years after the exposure occurred. Removing the air pollutants is the first step in eliminating these health effects.
Improving the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home
The best way to improve your home’s indoor air quality is to have a professional install an air filtration system. These systems take in the air from your vents or ducts, remove contaminants and pollutants, and release clean air back into your home. They feature HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air filters), which capture 99.97% of particles, including mold spores, pollen, and bacteria.
In addition to an air filtration system, there are some steps you can take to improve the air quality of your home, including:
- Install properly working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Keep your windows open for at least 10 minutes a day to allow fresh air to come inside
- Ensure your windows are closed in times of poor outdoor air quality, such as when there are wildfires or smoke
- Use test kits to check for dangerous gasses in your home
- Avoid smoking in the home
- Dust regularly
- Change your HVAC filters regularly
- Don’t use household products, such as air fresheners and cleaning products, that contain dangerous chemicals
As your HVAC system plays a vital role in your home’s air quality, it’s also important to stay up to date on annual maintenance. During these visits, technicians test, clean, and tune up your system to ensure it’s working properly and free from damage. Regular maintenance helps improve home air quality by ensuring your HVAC system can adequately filter out contaminants.
Call Kliemann Brothers for IAQ Services
To improve your home’s indoor air quality, contact our team at Kliemann Brothers. Our technicians can help you find and install a whole-home filtration system to ensure your household is breathing the cleanest air possible. We also offer additional indoor air quality solutions, such as whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers, to properly regulate the moisture in your air.
Contact our team to schedule your appointment today! If you already have an indoor air quality system, ask about our comprehensive repair and maintenance services. Our highly-trained technicians will keep your system working smoothly so you can breathe fresh air for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most at risk from poor indoor air quality?
While poor indoor air quality can affect anyone, the groups most at risk include children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are often especially impacted, as the pollutants attack their already weak systems.
What role do HVAC systems play in maintaining good IAQ?
Several essential functions of HVAC systems play an important role in maintaining good indoor air quality, including ventilation, filtration, humidity control, air exchange, and temperature control. At Kliemann Brothers, we offer comprehensive HVAC and IAQ services to ensure your home systems work properly and improve your air quality.
Are there specific tests to measure indoor air quality?
Yes, at Kliemann Brothers, we offer expert indoor air quality testing services. Our technicians are equipped with the most advanced equipment and monitors to accurately detect the levels of pollutants in your home. If we detect contaminants in your air, we’ll help you find an air filtration system to improve your IAQ. Contact our team to learn more.