Air Repair

Can the air inside your home pose a threat to your family’s health? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the answer is yes. EPA studies have shown that levels of pollutants are often two to five times higher indoor than they are outdoors. In some instances, indoor air can be more than 100 times more polluted than the air outside. While indoor air pollution is most dangerous for people who suffer from allergies, asthma and respiratory conditions, bad air can negatively affect the health of otherwise healthy populations, too. These warnings signs can help you determine if the air inside your home is harming your health.

Physical Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), chronic exposure to indoor pollutants can lead to the development of asthma, infections and lung cancer. Even low-level exposure, however, can cause symptoms like itchy and dry eyes, headaches, congestion and fatigue. Common pollutants and their associated health effects include:

• Biological pollutants like dust mites, mold, pollen and animal dander often trigger asthma attacks and allergy symptoms. Indoor air pollution has been linked to the increasing prevalence of pediatric asthma.
• Combustion pollutants come from byproducts created by faulty furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves and fireplaces. The most dangerous of these byproducts is carbon monoxide (CO), a tasteless, odorless and colorless gas that inhibits the body’s ability to take in oxygen. Low-level CO exposure causes fatigue, nausea and headaches. High-level exposure can cause coma and death.
• Radon is a gas that’s naturally produced as radium decays in rocks and soil. The gas can enter homes through drains, cracks in the foundation and gaps in exterior walls. It’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
• Formaldehyde is commonly used in household products like carpets and upholstery and as a bonding agent in building materials like plywood and particle board. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause symptoms like skin rashes, coughing, dizziness and eye irritation.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Your trusted Air Repair HVAC contractor is an excellent resource when it comes to reducing the amount of pollutants in your home. The EPA recommends regular inspections by HVAC professionals for your home’s heating, cooling and ventilation systems to reduce the risk of pollutant exposure. If your home is equipped with forced-air heating and cooling systems, installing whole-home air purifiers in the ductwork can significantly reduce the amount of pollutants in your home. Equipped with high-efficiency filters, whole-house air purifiers are highly effective as removing dust, pollen and other small particulates from household air.

The EPA ranks indoor air pollution as the fourth-largest risk to human health. As your leading local HVAC provider, we’re committed to reducing that risk. We make it our business to provide products and services that make home a more comfortable and healthy environment. Call us today and learn more about your indoor air quality solution options.