Indoor air quality is essential to the health and wellness of everyone in your Staunton, VA home, and poor IAQ can result in allergies, respiratory issues and long-term health consequences. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know that routine activities and common items are potential contributors to indoor air pollution. Here are seven specific sources of indoor air pollution to keep in mind so that you can improve your home’s air quality.
1. Residential Cleaning Products
Many household cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants can send harmful fumes into the room’s air where you use cleaning products. VOCs can trigger headaches and respiratory irritation, and prolonged exposure can lead to long-term health complications.
Potential problem products include aerosol sprays, disinfectants and air fresheners. Instead of buying products with artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals, reduce exposure by using eco-friendly and natural cleaning products.
2. Biological Contaminants
Biological growth frequently thrives under damp conditions. Spores released into the air can trigger asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions. Kitchens, basements and bathrooms are common parts of residential homes where moisture buildup promotes undesirable growth.
Prevent this by dealing with leaks promptly, using dehumidification devices. and ensuring proper ventilation. Routine cleaning with biologically resistant solutions can deter some spore spread, and an HVAC technician can provide effective options for your whole home.
3. Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke is the most harmful possible indoor air pollutant in many homes where it’s present. It has thousands of chemicals, many of them toxic. Specific examples include carbon monoxide, benzene and formaldehyde.
The dangers of first-hand smoke are evident to most people, but secondhand smoke also presents serious risks, especially for pregnant women, children and anyone with a respiratory condition. Make your home a smoke-free environment where smoking only occurs outside and away from your house’s ventilation systems.
4. Cooking Fumes
Cooking can release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly if your family uses a gas stove. High-heat cooking methods, such as grilling and frying, can generate airborne smoke and grease that detracts from your home’s indoor air quality.
Conducting regular HVAC maintenance can ensure proper ventilation. You can also open windows, use exhaust fans or install a high-efficiency range hood.
5. Upholstery and Carpets
Upholstered furniture, rugs and carpets can trap pollen, pet dander, dust and other allergens. In time, these pollutants become airborne and contribute to allergies and respiratory problems throughout a home. Also, certain pieces of furniture and carpets have synthetic materials and flame retardants that emit volatile organic compounds.
Steam cleaning addresses a lot of this, and when you vacuum, use one with a HEPA filter. Minimize indoor air pollution by picking natural fiber or low-VOC materials when furnishing and decorating your home.
6. Varnishes and Paints
Newly varnished surfaces, furniture and painted walls frequently emit VOCs. These can linger in the air around your home for days or weeks. In doing so, they contribute to dizziness, headaches and respiratory irritation.
Choose paints and finishes low in VOCs or completely free of them to substantially improve the IAQ of your home. Also, ensure proper ventilation during and following painting projects to reduce your household’s exposure to these harmful fumes.
7. Pet Dander and Household Dust
Dust accumulates fast and is a mix of microscopic pollutants, allergens and air particulates. Pet dander consists of tiny skin flakes that animals shed. Both are common indoor allergens known to aggravate allergies and asthma.
Wash pet bedding and dust regularly to keep these pollutants under control. Air purifiers and vacuuming using a HEPA filter help maintain a clean home environment. Minimize dust-related pollution in your home by changing your HVAC filters more often.
Indoor air pollution can start from many sources, including dust, paints, carpets, cooking fumes, tobacco smoke and household cleaning products. All these can impact short-term comfort in your home and the long-term health of those living there. Contact our team at Valley Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to address the indoor air quality concerns in your home.
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