The good news is that there are ways to improve your indoor air quality immediately. You should identify the areas of your home that are contributing to poor air quality. The most common factors that contribute to bad indoor air quality can usually be fixed fairly quickly.
- Radon
- Tobacco Smoke
- Ventilation
- Mold
- Household Products
If you have young children, this issue is especially important. There are numerous studies that show how bad poor air quality can be for a child’s development. Not only can poor air quality cause physical issues, but there are potential mental issues as well. This is why it is vital to take steps to improve your air quality as soon as possible.
Radon
Radon is a gas that few people have heard of. However, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer per year. It is estimated that radon kills around 20,000 people per year. Radon results from certain gases in the soil under homes. In certain parts of the world, radon is more prevalent than in other areas based on the soil type.
If you live in an area where this chemical is present, you need to have a detector installed in your home. This is an inexpensive investment that can end up saving your life in the long run. One of the most dangerous aspects of radon is that it is hard to smell. This is one of the reasons that it is known as a silent killer. Long-term exposure to this chemical will cause numerous issues within your body.
Tobacco Smoke
Smoking tobacco causes numerous health issues. There are few people who dispute this fact. However, many smokers do not realize the damage that they are doing to the environment around them. Tobacco smoke tends to linger for many years after a cigarette is smoked within a home. If you have ever purchased a home where the previous owners were smokers, you know exactly what this is like.
Tobacco smoke tends to seep into everything in the home. If the home has carpet, the pollutants can stay in the fibres for many years. All of these issues can result in bad indoor air quality. There are numerous studies that show the negative impact of second-hand smoking. This results from someone getting exposed to tobacco smoke that they did not actually consume directly from a cigarette.
If you have young children, smoking within a home is irresponsible and dangerous. However, if you purchased a home where the previous owners were smokers, you need to take action to remove the carcinogens as well. There are ways that you can clean the carpets and the walls to remove the toxins from smoking. Over time, this small investment is worth it in order to protect your health and wellness.
Lack of Proper Ventilation
If you want to have quality air within your home, proper ventilation is key. There are numerous people who simply do not realize the value of ventilation within a home. In many older homes, air never has the chance to come in and out. This is one of the reasons why a central HVAC unit is so important. If your home does not have this option, you need to take steps to ventilate the home properly.
First of all, you should change out any ventilation materials several times per year. This will allow you to protect yourself and your family from contaminants in the air. If you have children with allergies, there are even options that prevent allergens from coming in through airshafts.
During the warmer months, you should consider opening the windows to let fresh air come through the home. Fresh air has been proven to have a variety of health benefits over a long period of time.
Mould
In areas of the country where moisture is more prevalent, having mould is one of the biggest issues that you can experience in a home. One of the biggest issues with mould is that it is hard to find. This is especially true if it is found under the house or in a random area where you would not think to look.
Mould generally results from moisture. If you have a small leak in your home that you do not know about, this can result in mould growing over a long period of time. Mould can cause numerous health issues. Many people do not realize that there are numerous different types of mould. Black mould is one of the worst types of mould to find within a home. Not only is it dangerous, but it is hard to completely remove.
When treating mould, you have to completely remove it in order to prevent the mould from spreading. If you find mould, you should call a professional instead of trying to remove it yourself. Even getting a few mould particles into your body for a short period of time can cause future health issues.
Household Cleaning Supplies
There are many household cleaning products that can actually reduce the air quality of your home. Instead of using chemicals, you should aim at using natural cleaners whenever you want to clean something in your home. Although these products may be more expensive, they are much more effective in combating air quality issues within the home.
If you are wondering how to improve your home’s air quality, there are numerous steps that you can take. If you have a critical issue, such as tobacco smoke or mould, you need to get those problems solved immediately. Over time, making small changes can make a huge impact on the indoor air quality within your home.
