Table of Contents
Introduction
People are generally more conscious of outdoor air pollution, but how many of us know that indoor air pollution can be more dangerous? Homes must be the safest place to live in as we spend most of our days inside the house. Particles, smoke, mould, gases, bacteria, fumes, and other air contaminants cause indoor air pollution. These air pollutants cause severe health issues, especially for people with heart and respiratory diseases. This article will help you identify the sources of poor indoor air quality and its impacts on our health.
Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
- Tobacco Smoke
- Formaldehyde in Carpets and Upholstery
- Wood Stoves and Fuel-burning Combustion
- Paints and Varnishes
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Fumes from Candles
- Machines and Stationery that Contain Particles and Gases
- House-Remodelling Materials
- Pesticides
- Carpets, Wall mats, Bed Sheets
- Biological Pollutants
Impacts of Poor Indoor Air Quality on Health
Indoor air can be polluted due to chemical, biological, and physical contamination that causes multiple health issues. In some developing countries, the air inside the house is mainly polluted by biomass smoke which contains sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
While preparing our meals, we commonly use traditional cooking methods with coal, wood, dung, etc., which releases dangerous smoke into the indoor air. In addition, increased air particles of different sizes inside the home also cause health issues. We can’t see microscopic airborne particles in our bare eyes that silently pollute household air.
Tobacco smoke inside your house causes respiratory irritation, heart disease, lung cancer, bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema. A typical indoor air pollutant is formaldehyde, which causes eye, nose, and throat irritation. You should also be careful about the lead that causes severe brain and nerve damage, anaemia, kidney failure, and other life-threatening health issues.
Cleaning agents and paints cause kidney, liver, and brain damage. They also cause loss of coordination and many types of cancer. Try to use an exhaust fan in your kitchen to prevent the hazardous nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide produced by gas or wood stoves. These gases cause irritation to the lungs and respiratory infections. You should also avoid fragrances and perfumes that contain highly volatile and semi-volatile chemicals, as they are toxic enough to cause allergic reactions, nervous system disorders, cancer, skin irritation, reproductive disorders, etc.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Try to eliminate the amount of animal dander, dust mites, viruses, and bacteria as much as possible by installing quality residential HVAC filters. These air contaminants will cause you to experience throat irritation, flu, asthma symptoms, and many other infectious diseases. Check out the best ways to improve indoor air quality.
- Quit smoking inside the house and make an anti-smoking zone.
- Ventilate the indoor space, including the kitchen, basement, and attic.
- Keep your windows open often to let the fresh air in.
- Keep the home environment as clean as possible.
- Use vacuum cleaners.
- Install the most suitable HVAC air filters.
- Wash the mats, carpets, blankets, pillowcases, etc., every week.
- Have your home checked regularly.
- Stop using gas stoves.
- Keep your home safe from harmful chemical agents.
- Replace your toxin-releasing furniture.
- Control the humidity level inside your house.
Consult an air filter supplier from Simply Filters, who will help you ensure the best indoor air quality.
Conclusion
The impacts of poor indoor air quality can be life-threatening. Make sure you use the best HVAC air filters to save kids and aged people in your house, who are more prone to the adverse effects of indoor air pollution. To avoid adverse health effects, you must ensure the best indoor air quality that will allow you to live inside your house safely and comfortably. It’s impossible to eliminate the airborne particles inside your home entirely, but quality HVAC filters can reduce a significant amount of air contaminants.