6 Threats to Indoor Air Quality in Quitman, GA
Indoor air quality is a key factor that determines how comfortable you’ll feel in your Quitman, GA, home. The following are some common threats to indoor air quality:
Dust
Dust is one of the most common indoor pollutants. It consists of microscopic particles from various sources, such as humans, animals, plants and soil. Dust particles usually irritate the respiratory system, causing various health problems, such as allergies and asthma.
Dust is more likely to collect in areas with increased airflow, such as open spaces and corners. Curtains and blinds also trap dust, so you should ensure that you clean them periodically.
You should vacuum your furniture pieces, carpets and floors regularly to reduce dust accumulation. This will improve your indoor air quality.
Smoke
Smoke is the result of burning fuel. Large open flame fires are common in homes, especially in the fireplace and backyard fire pit. Smoke particles contain various chemicals that can spread throughout the house by way of ventilation systems and heating systems.
Smoke from cigarettes, candles, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves contains harmful particles. The smoke from these sources contains carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause damage to your respiratory system.
Smoke irritates the respiratory system, causing symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest pain and difficulty breathing. You can reduce the spread of smoke particles in your home by placing air purifiers with HEPA air filters in areas that produce smoke frequently, such as kitchens and living rooms. You should also ensure that you open all the doors and windows when there’s smoke in your home.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are colorless and odorless compounds produced from the combustion of certain organic materials. VOCs are usually contained in paints, glues, solvents and cleaning products.
VOCs get released into the air when you use these products. These compounds evaporate easily into the air and can cause health problems such as coughing, headaches and eye, nose and throat irritation. If you experience these symptoms, take action and improve your indoor air quality by installing new and better ventilation units.
Poor Ventilation
Ventilation units are one of the most critical components that directly impact indoor air quality. Ventilation units ensure that there’s a constant supply of clean, fresh air inside your home.
Poor ventilation results in the accumulation of contaminants. A poorly ventilated home can be detrimental to the respiratory health of individuals. Your home’s HVAC system also affects your indoor air quality.
Older homes may have HVAC systems with lower efficiency. Inefficient HVAC systems don’t supply adequate fresh air into your home, leading to poor ventilation. You can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system by replacing older equipment with higher-efficiency systems.
You can also improve your indoor air quality by installing air filters and air purifiers to clean the air in your home effectively. This ultimately leads to good ventilation within your home.
Organic Growth
Organic growth often appears in bathrooms and kitchens due to high humidity levels. It’s a common threat to indoor air quality, particularly in homes without proper ventilation and HVAC systems.
Exposure to organic growth also causes adverse health effects. Some of the symptoms resulting from exposure to organic growth include sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache and fatigue. You should work with a qualified HVAC professional to fix moisture and HVAC issues to prevent organic growth in your home.
Pets
Pets can be a source of airborne contaminants through their fur, pet dander and hair. These allergens can induce respiratory symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itching, red or watery eyes and nasal congestion.
It’s essential to remove or clean pet hair or dander frequently. Vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture regularly can also help to prevent the buildup of airborne contaminants produced by pets.
Contact Waller Heating & Air Conditioning today if you need quality heating installation services. We guarantee 100% customer satisfaction and offer fair prices for all our HVAC services.
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