The 3 Most Common Indoor Air Contaminants
Studies show that indoor air can be many times more polluted than outdoor air. How can this be the case? The air inside of a home is essentially locked away from outdoor air. When homes are built, they are sealed off as good as they can be from the outside world to increase energy efficiency. The consequence of having a sealed-off domain is that fresh air cannot easily get inside of the home, allowing all of the things that linger in the air to stick around. The result can be high levels of dust and pollutants that can negatively affect the health of a home’s occupants.
This fall, take back control of the air inside the home. With advice from local HVAC contractors, homeowners can protect the health of everyone living indoors. Here is a guide to the three most common indoor air pollutants.
High Humidity
High humidity may not seem like it should be considered a pollutant. What’s the harm in a little extra water vapor floating around? However, in Florida, humidity can stay high all year round. When humidity levels stay elevated, they can greatly increase mold and mildew growth. As mold and mildew grow, they release spores into the air that interfere with healthy lung function.
Humid air isn’t as comfortable as dry air. The higher the humidity levels in indoor air, the warmer and stickier the air will feel. The result will be that homeowners will crank up the AC to try and compensate for the perceived warmer air. During normal operation, an air conditioner should remove excess humidity from the air. However, in some cases installing a dehumidifier can help bring this air contaminant under control.
Volatile Chemicals
Volatile chemicals can result from things like:
- Cooking, especially frying
- New construction like painting
- Off-gassing of new products
- Using aerosols like hair spray
- Cleaners and disinfectants
- Tobacco smoke
Essentially, anytime a home’s occupants can smell anything, that means there are VOCs lurking. Charcoal filtration can remove most of these but they aren’t standard in home HVAC equipment.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a serious indoor air contaminant caused by the incomplete combustion of propane, natural gas, or wood stoves. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure are:
- Constant headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- A feeling of tightness in the chest or incomplete breathing
Carbon monoxide detectors should be standard equipment in every home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, so it can be almost impossible to detect without the help of a detector. Detectors should be located in rooms just as a smoke detector would be.
About Air Now
Air Now customers enjoy fast response times and upfront pricing on all of their jobs. Homeowners can rely on their emergency services 24/7 - and they never charge extra for overtime hours. Call Air Now today for fast indoor air quality solutions in Sarasota, FL.
