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Common Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Air Quality
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The Best Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

The air quality in your home has a noticeable impact on daily life. Long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde or mold can lead to recurring allergic or asthmatic reactions and may cause or exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

You can improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) in your Austin home, dramatically reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes and increasing the comfort of your space.

What Are the Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air pollution results from manufactured and naturally occurring compounds. The most common causes of indoor air pollution are:

Natural air pollutants

There are natural sources of indoor air pollution, including pollen, pet dander, dust, mold, mildew, and radon. Radon is a natural gas emitted from the soil that sometimes seeps into homes through cracks. It is estimated to cause an estimated21,000 lung cancer deaths in the US annually.

Chemical air pollutants

Synthetic chemical pollutants like formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide. These chemicals are often emitted from furniture, paint, cleaning chemicals, or combustion (gas-powered appliances, fireplaces, and more).

These compounds are very common, and at low concentrations, they aren’t likely to have a negative impact on your health. However, when concentrations of these particles increase, they pose significant risks to human health.

Common Symptoms of Bad Indoor Air Quality

Health experts warn against the short and long-term effects of poor indoor air quality. The most common signs of poor IAQ include:

  • Respiratory issues, including runny nose, sinus congestion, cough, difficulty breathing, and sneezing.
  • Eye, nose, and throat irritation, including watery or dry eyes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea
  • Irritability
  • Nosebleeds

In most cases, these symptoms will resolve after leaving home. But daily, long-term exposure may exacerbate symptoms so that they rarely completely dissipate.

Three Effective Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality on a Budget

Improving indoor air quality is relatively simple. By focusing on and mitigating the causes of indoor air pollution, homeowners can breathe better in no time!

You can reduce indoor air pollutants and improve indoor air quality by taking the following steps:

1. Address the Root Causes

Regular dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning will keep indoor dust and allergens like tree pollen low. If you have allergies, you may need to dust and sweep daily when pollen levels are high. Consider keeping your windows shut during allergy season, especially in the afternoon when pollen levels peak.

Also, don’t allow smoking in your home, and use your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove smoke and keep humidity levels in check.

2. Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends maintaining indoor humidity levelsbetween 30% and 50% year-round. Optimal humidity levels will prevent mold and mildew growth, keep dust mite populations in check, and keep you more comfortable inside your home.

3. Use Your HVAC System

Nothing supports healthy indoor air quality like a well-maintained HVAC system. Using your heating or cooling system helps to promote airflow, maintain humidity, and remove airborne particulates via filtration.

Ensure your HVAC system is up to the task by replacing your air filter every 1-3 months (households with pets or members with underlying health conditions may benefit from more frequent filter replacement) and have your system inspected annually.

Can Indoor Plants Improve Air Quality?

Yes and no—but mostly no. While viral blog posts and news articles have suggested that certain types of houseplants can improve indoor air quality, recent studies have provided a more nuanced perspective. While it's true that plants can remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air, research indicates that many plants would be required to make a measurable difference in indoor environments. A meta-analysis of these studies concluded that approximately 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space would be needed to clean indoor air effectively.

Austin’s IAQ HQ

Austin-area homeowners know indoor air quality is a key part of living well. For expert IAQ upgrades that enhance your home and lower the risk of long-term health problems, start with Daniel’s, Austin’s one-stop shop for all your home service needs.

Call 512-456-3570 orcontact us online to schedule HVAC, electrical, or plumbing service in Bee Cave, Kyle, and the surrounding areas.