It’s easy not to think about what’s in the air you breathe in your home, especially considering you can’t see much of what’s floating around. However, if you want better indoor air quality (IAQ), it’s important to do so and to take preventative steps to clear out the pollutants, bring in fresh air, and continuously strive for impressive IAQ. It starts with knowing what some common indoor air pollutants are so you know how to proceed.
1. Smoke
Smoke, including from cigarettes and cigars, is a major indoor air pollutant that can cause significant health issues for smokers and anyone around them. Even someone smoking right outside of an open door or window or in front of an area where there’s a draft can allow the smoke into the home and worsen the IAQ.
If you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do is not smoke in your home. The smoke doesn’t disappear when you put out the cigarette or cigar but continues to linger and waft through the area for several more hours. When smokers come to your home, insist that they smoke outdoors. You may feel like you’re being rude, but it’s more about being firm in your preferences and beliefs and preventing your IAQ from worsening.
2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that aggravate your IAQ. The problem is that they’re in many of the products you already use throughout your home on a daily basis. For example, they’re in paint, aerosol sprays, cleaning products, room sprays, candles, and even new carpets. VOCs aren’t good for your IAQ, nor are they good for your health, potentially leading to problems such as cancer. The best thing you can do for your home and health is to opt for low- or no-VOC items whenever possible.
3. Radon
Radon is everywhere, including in every room of your house. It seeps in through the foundation, such as if it has cracks, and makes its way from the soil into your home. Once inside, it gets trapped. Although this may not initially seem like a big deal, it can cause lung cancer even in people who don’t smoke. No levels are considered ideally safe, so the longer you breathe in high radon levels, the worse it can be for your health.
An alarmingly significant number of Utah homes have high levels of radon, and many people aren’t aware because they don’t get tested. Get a radon inspection to determine what the levels are at your residence. If it’s above 4 pCi/L, radon mitigation is recommended. A radon mitigation system can drastically decrease the levels in your home.
4. Pollen
Pollen can be brutal if you have allergies or other respiratory issues. It typically comes in through open doors and windows. However, it can also cling to humans and animals, who then bring it inside. The situation gets even worse if people or pets sit on soft surfaces, such as on the couch, where the pollen transfers.
If you’re one of the many people whose respiratory system has a hard time dealing with pollen, there are a few things you can do to help improve your IAQ. For example, you can keep your windows closed during spring and summer when pollen levels are high, have plants in your home instead of flowers, and install an air purifier. Changing your clothes as soon as you come in and wiping down your pets before they’re allowed indoors can also be beneficial. Throw dirty clothes into the laundry basket and put on fresh clothes you didn’t wear outside.
Before you leave your home, check the local pollen count. If it’s high, consider wearing a mask and keep your windows closed that day.
5. Pet Fur and Dander
You adore your pets, but chances are you’re not the biggest fan of finding their fur and dander everywhere. Both are two major types of indoor air pollutants that can negatively affect your IAQ.
The best thing you can do is groom them daily. Rather than do the task indoors, take them outside and away from your doors and windows where dander and loose fur can blow off in the breeze instead of scattering across your floor and – even worse – getting embedded into your carpets.
Consider bringing your furry pets to a groomer if you’d rather not do it yourself at home. Another option is to see if there’s a local mobile groomer who will come to you and take care of your pet in their truck outside your home instead of doing it at a brick-and-mortar store.
6. Mold Spores
You can’t see mold spores, but they’re within your home. They can either make their way in through open windows, doors, drafts, and leaks or hitch a ride on humans and animals. Mold spores can wreak havoc on the body, causing problems ranging from irritating lungs to causing aggravating allergies.
Taking steps to reduce mold spores can benefit your health and home. Three major ways to do that are to have excellent ventilation and install a whole-home air purifier.
7. Pesticides
Pesticides easily make their way from outside and can affect your IAQ. They come in primarily through open doors and windows but also through other means, such as if there are drafts.
The pesticides typically become a serious problem in spring when many are tending to their gardens and attempting to kill weeds by using toxic chemicals. This can be especially problematic if you spray pesticides right outside your windows and doors.
Opt for natural weed killers instead of using pesticides. Contact a landscaper who can devise a plan that doesn’t involve using dangerous chemicals near your home while still helping you have a beautiful garden.
8. Dust
You know what dust looks like, but do you know what makes it up? It’s a concoction of dead skin cells, hair, bits of bugs, insect droppings, dust mites, fibers from fabrics, and various other unpleasant fragments. Consider dust an umbrella term for a bunch of tiny indoor air pollutants.
Cleaning frequently is your best weapon against combating dust. Various steps you can take to allow for a more thorough cleaning experience are to get rid of carpeting, vacuum daily, and wipe down hard surfaces. You’ll also want to steam clean and wash mattresses, upholstered chairs, sofas, couches, curtains, and area rugs. Make sure to follow the proper respective cleaning instructions, including what cleaning solutions you can use and how often you can wash the item without damaging it.
Additional steps you can take that can do some of the work for you are to install a whole-home air purifier and filtration system. You should also swap out the filter in your HVAC system every few months, if not more often.
Don’t let poor IAQ negatively impact your and your family’s health. Contact Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators today in Bountiful, Utah, for more information about removing pollutants and improving your IAQ. Ask us about our variety of products, including air filters and air purifiers, as well as our other services, ranging from air conditioning installation to furnace replacement. Emergency heating and cooling services are also available.
