Whether it’s in the office, home, school, or dining halls, most people spend 90% of their time indoors. While we often discuss the amount of pollution in the atmosphere, we rarely think about the air quality we breathe in when we’re indoors. According to studies, indoor air pollution is shown to have negative effects on our health and is blamed for 4.3 million deaths yearly.
So what are the common indoor air pollutants you should look out for in your home? Let’s find out as we get going.
Indoor Air Pollutants to Look Out for
We often think about car emissions, smog, and industry fumes at the thought of air pollution, but we often forget the pollution that occurs indoors. According to many professionals, indoor air pollution is even more dangerous compared to outdoor. Indoor air pollution is caused by various factors, and we have enumerated five below to help you be proactive.
1. Mold
Mold is one of the major indoor air pollutants that can cause various health problems, including allergies, asthma, lung issues, and other respiratory infections. Mold loves humid environments and damp areas and can be found around the home, like the basement, floors, ceilings, and walls.
For people with weak immune systems and pre-existing conditions like asthma and allergies, mold exposure can exacerbate diseases and severe respiratory infections. So if you notice molds growing in many areas of your home, hire restoration professionals immediately to attend to the situation and prevent health risks. You may visit their website to see their water damage restoration services.
2. Excess moisture
Although the least recognized indoor pollutant, moisture is among the most harmful. It can cause structural issues in your home and even affect your health. Basement leaks and water damage will increase a home’s moisture, so it’s important to fix these problems with the help of property restoration companies.
If there is still excess moisture in your home despite addressing the water damage issues early on, use a dehumidifier to improve ventilation and regulate moisture.
3. Biological pollutants
Biological pollutants like bacteria, viruses, animal dander, mildew, mold, dust mites, and other contaminants can infest a home from outdoor areas. Sometimes these contaminants are caused by damp environments and excess moisture. So see if you have leaks or unresolved water damage at home and have it fixed by restoration contractors. You may browse the web to read more about what they do.
If indoor pollutants continue lingering around your home, use exhaust fans and vacuum more often to whisk off these contaminants.
4. Radon
Radon is naturally generated in the soil, a radioactive gas that enters a home from the ground. It’s also the second leading cause of lung conditions in the US. There are excellent and inexpensive ways to control radon concentrations, which involve connecting a small fan to a PVC pipe system to vent the radon-rich air into the atmosphere and prevent it from entering a home.
5. Asbestos
Asbestos is among the leading culprits of indoor pollution. It’s usually found in materials used in the automotive industry and home construction. Asbestos is mainly found in paints, coatings, floor tiles, building materials, and ceilings. Since newer products and advances in construction materials don’t have asbestos, it’s usually found in homes constructed many years ago. Moreover, asbestos is banned in many countries, including the US.
