Observe National Wellness Month By Checking on Your Indoor Air Quality
National Wellness Month is here! People all over the country use the month of August to check in with their health and well-being, adopt healthier habits, and do what they can to alleviate stress and dis-ease. This can come in many forms, from diet and exercise regimens to sleep habits and meditation practices.
But there’s one aspect of general health that often gets overlooked - indoor air quality. Some people may be surprised and shocked to learn just how many pollutants might be floating around in their homes and threatening to undermine their family’s health. So read on to learn all about indoor air quality and the considerable impact it can have on the overall health of everyone in the home.
What Indoor Air Quality Is (and Why It Matters)
Indoor air quality, or IAQ, denotes the quality or purity of the air inside a given building. If the air contains a high volume of pollutants, the air quality is considered poor. If the air contains very little in the way of airborne pollutants, the air quality is considered high.
A building’s HVAC system is designed to keep air quality high by keeping humidity levels down, filtering out airborne contaminants, and ventilating the air to keep it fresh. Hospitals and healthcare facilities feature advanced HVAC systems and top-of-the-line filters to minimize harmful pollutants and keep the air quality high. Unfortunately, residential systems aren’t always so effective.
Common Household Air Pollutants
The average home’s air is likely to contain a wide range of different pollutants from various sources. Particulate matter like mold, dust, pollen, and pet dander are larger than most pollutants, which means most air filters are capable of capturing them.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in many cleaning products, paints, craft supplies, and pesticides and linger in the air long after their initial use. Smoke and car exhaust can drift in from outside and become trapped. Poorly ventilated or malfunctioning gas appliances can produce carbon monoxide. Average residential filters won’t capture these smaller pollutant particles, so more advanced filtration and purification may be necessary to remove them.
How Indoor Air Quality Affects Health
Poor indoor air quality can have both immediate and long-term consequences for the health of the people who breathe it in all day. Those with respiratory sensitivities like asthma or allergies are at greater risk, but anyone can be affected.
Some immediate symptoms and effects include irritation of the eyes and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, and even asphyxiation (primarily in the case of carbon monoxide poisoning). Potential long-term effects and illnesses include heart or lung disease, respiratory illness, brain damage, and cancer.
When it comes to the health and safety of everyone in their household, one of the best things every homeowner can do is to make sure their indoor air quality is at an acceptable (or exceptional) level.
About Barker Heating & Cooling
Barker Heating & Cooling has been proudly serving Livermore and the Tri-Valley Area since 1998. Their commitment to safety, honesty, clear communication and impeccable service has made them the trusted go-to HVAC and air quality specialists in their community. They offer financing, membership perks, and a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee on all work. Call now for air quality services!
