In recent years, indoor air has been found to be more contaminated than outdoor air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside. We're exposed to pollution every day. We’re powerless over the air outside, but we can do something about the air in our homes.
Heaters and air conditioners can be a major source of polluted indoor air. Toxins collect in central heating and air conditioner duct work, blowing into the home whenever your system cycles on. Duct work can harbor bacteria, viruses, dust mites, fungi, pollen and other contaminants that increase over time. Leaky ducts can absorb pollutants from the outside which then collect indoors.
Furnaces can release dangerous compounds like carbon monoxide. Insufficient ventilation can cause pollution levels to build up indoors, especially in homes that are tightly sealed. Insufficient humidity can cause health problems, while too much humidity creates a breeding ground for mold.
Indoor air quality has become a serious health concern because most people spend up to 90 percent of their time inside. For those who already suffer from allergies, respiratory disorders and other health problems, polluted indoor air can make matters even worse. While polluted indoor air can create symptoms immediately, it can also cause problems years later.
What Are Some Signs Of Polluted Indoor Air? – If your indoor air quality is poor, certain symptoms can alert you to the problem. Common reactions to poor air quality include:
- Watering, stinging, itchy, irritated eyes
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Dry or scratchy throat
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Sneezing
- Dry, itchy skin
- Rashes and other skin eruptions
- Respiratory problems
How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?
If you have a central heater and air conditioner, having your duct work inspected and cleaned periodically can remove toxins that have collected there. After cleaning, ducts can be fitted with UV lamps to prevent the regrowth of mold. Sealing leaky ducts can keep allergens, pollutants, rodents and insects outside. Duct sealing also cuts energy costs because heated and cooled air no longer escapes through the cracks.
Have your furnace inspected regularly for carbon monoxide leaks. Carbon monoxide is an odorless flammable, and highly lethal gas that can cause death in large concentrations. It can build up in enclosed spaces and poison anyone who breathes it. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness and headache.
Consider installing a high-quality air cleaner or an air purifier. Air filters can remove airborne pollutants and improve the quality of your indoor air. A good air cleaner can remove up to 97 percent of indoor contaminants including spores, pollen, dust, viruses and bacteria.
To learn more about how duct cleaning, ventilation systems, air purifiers and humidity control can improve your indoor air, call Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. As a Factory Authorized Carrier dealer serving Collin County for over 30 years, we’ve helped many of our McKinney, TX neighbors to reduce indoor pollution and live longer, happier, healthier lives.
