Indoor Air Quality
A lot of people are curious about whether the air they breathe at the workplaces and in the homes that they are breathing inside is appropriate and safe. Many suffer from respiratory illnesses or problems with smell. It is typical that this is a result of or triggered by mold issues. Whatever the root cause of the air quality issue, it will be able to be solved after the root has been identified.
Furthermore, most of us are spending most of our time indoors working, at the office or having breaks. However, the air inside is dirtier and more polluted compared to the outdoor air. The indoor air is polluted by as much as five times more and, in some instances up to 100x more contaminants than outdoor air, according to the EPA.
The air that we breathe in our workplaces and homes can be contaminated due to contaminants that are present in the air that we breathe (such as chemicals, gas, and living organisms like bacteria, mold, and pests) which could lead to health issues.
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Common Domestic or Home Pollutants
- Radon is the name for the radioactive gas that is formed in soil. Radon could get into buildings through cracks and holes in floors and walls that touch the soil. Radon is the leading or most often cited reason for lung cancer among smokers and non-smokers. This is the second leading cause of cancers that affect the lung as a whole.
- Secondhand smoke results from tobacco products that have been burnt. Smoking secondhand can cause lung cancer as well as other respiratory diseases. Children are the most vulnerable in the presence of second-hand smoke. It can worsen or trigger asthma-related symptoms. It’s linked to an increase in the risk to develop an ear infection, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Combustion pollutants are gases or particles that are produced by burning fuels. The most significant source of air pollutants in homes is because they are inadequately vented or poorly for appliances that use fuel (such as stoves, water heaters space heaters, dryers, fireplaces, wood stoves, etc.). The quantity and kind of pollutants created depend on the type of appliance and its condition, how it’s maintained and installed, and then vented, and the type of fuel it uses.
Common combustion pollutants comprise:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is an inert gas that is colorless and smells odorless that may interfere with the circulation and circulation of oxygen throughout our bodies. Carbon monoxide is a cause of nausea, headaches, or even death.
- It is a gas called Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is which is an odorless and colorless gas that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations, breathing issues, and the possibility of developing respiratory illnesses.
- Vocal organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that are present in paints, polishes, and strippers for cleaning products, including waxes and varnishes for insecticides and pesticides; furniture, construction furnishings, and air fresheners for insect repellents and dry-cleaned clothing. VOCs are released into the air following the time of the use of these products and sometimes after storage. VOCs can cause irritation to the nose or the throat and can cause headaches, nausea, and cause harm to the kidneys, liver, as well as Central Nervous System. Certain of them could cause cancer.
- Living organisms such as molds produce microorganisms and spores or microorganisms. Molds release spores that are scattered throughout the air as they fall onto surfaces that are moist and grow. Inhalation or exposure to molds could result in a runny nose, sneezing, and even the appearance of skin eruptions and red eyes. The presence of molds could trigger asthma attacks.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
How can you purify the air in your home, office, or another indoor space?
The best way to clean the air inside your home is to remove the cause of poor air quality in your home. We’ve found that the most significant reason for the low quality of the indoor air in DeSoto, TX is mold. There is a way to run an examination for mold and offer the most effective remedy, which is blocking the infiltration of moisture into the home.
If you are unable to stop water’s entry access into your home and you’re in need of recourse to a dehumidifier to take care of and dry out the damp items. Also, you might have to install a Hepa air purifier to keep mold spores from spreading which could be infiltrating your home.
Other steps you can make to enhance the quality of the indoor air are as follows:
- Improve air circulation by opening a few windows every during the day for 5 to 10 minutes in a window that is placed on both sides of the home.
- Get house plants! NASA has discovered that house plants can drastically improve the indoor air quality of your home.
- Take off your shoes and place them on the door every time you enter your home, to prevent the transfer of harmful particles into the room.
- Do not smoke cigarettes in or near your house.
- Make sure you use safe cleaning supplies such as hydrogen peroxide and baking powder and vinegar.
- Do not dry clean clothes in your closet. Better to hang them up for a couple of days. If you’re certain, inquire if there’s an environmentally friendly dry-cleaner in your area that uses the most modern dry-cleaning techniques like CO2 in liquid form.
- Make use of products for personal care which are non-toxic. Avoid aerosols, and look for products that do not contain VOCs.
- Beware of air fresheners that are sold in the commercial market and candle scents that release thousands of substances enter your home.
- Clean the carpet. Vacuum sweep flooring and rugs regularly. If a person is walking on the floor, the dust of irritating irritants may be appearing and will be disturbed.
- Enhance your furnace or heating filter. Modern filters are made to effectively remove particles. In addition, ensure that your furnace or air conditioning ductwork and chimneys are maintained regularly.
- Avoid storing solvents paints, adhesives, and other harmful chemicals in your home, or in the garage that is attached.
- Use cooking tools that are non-stick. For a better alternative you could use a baking pan made of ceramic instead.
- Be sure to check that your appliances are vented properly.
- Select greener and safer products like paints that are free of VOCs when you build or renovate.
- Choose hardwood flooring that’s more sustainable than carpet. Carpet holds a lot of dust particles, including pet fur, as well as heavy metals like lead mercury, cadmium, and all sorts of allergens. If you choose to install carpet, you should look for one that’s labeled “VOC-free” for the assurance you are not afflicted by the emission of harmful gasses.
- Make sure your home has enough drainage and an un-sealed foundation.
- Remove insects through sealing cracks, gaps and leaks. It is important to ensure that food is correctly stored and never allow it to be exposed for any length of time.
When to Contact DeSoto's Best AC & Heating Repair LLC?
If you’ve encountered any of these issues, contact DeSoto’s Best AC & Heating Repair by Abundant Air LLC to arrange an immediate review of your home’s indoor air quality today:
- Asthma, allergies, or any other respiratory issue
- Sore throats, colds, or the flu
- Memory loss, dizziness, fatigue, or depression