Whether it’s in the office, home, school, or dining halls, most people use 90% of their time indoors. While we often discuss the amount of pollution in the atmosphere, we rarely think about the air quality we inhale indoors. According to studies, indoor air pollution is shown to have adverse effects on our health and is blamed for 4.3 million deaths yearly.
So what are the common indoor air contaminants you should look out for in your house? 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 happens indoors. According to many professionals, indoor air pollution is even more dangerous compared to outdoor. Indoor air pollution is caused by several factors, and we have enumerated five below to help you be proactive.
1. Biological contaminants
Biological pollutants like bacteria, viruses, animal dander, mildew, mold, dust mites, and other contaminants can infest a home from outdoor areas. These contaminants are sometimes caused by excess moisture and damp environments. So see if you have leakages or unresolved water damage in your home and have it fixed by a water mitigation company in Glen Allen, VA.
If indoor pollutants continue lingering around your home, use exhaust fans and vacuum more often to whisk off these contaminants.
2. 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 spots and can be found around the house, like the basement, floorings, walls, and ceilings.
For people with weak immune systems and pre-existing conditions like asthma and allergies, mold exposure can aggravate diseases and severe respiratory infections. So if you discover molds growing in numerous areas of your home, hire professionals specializing in water damage cleanup in Midlothian, VA, to address the situation and prevent health risks.
3. 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, construction materials, and ceilings. Since newer products and advances in construction materials do not have asbestos, it’s usually found in homes constructed many years ago. Additionally, asbestos is banned in many countries, including the United States.
4. Excess moisture
Although the least recognized indoor pollutant, moisture is among the most harmful. It can cause structural issues in your home and even impact your health. Basement leakages and water damage will increase a home’s moisture, so it is necessary to fix these problems with the help of disaster restoration companies.
If there is still excess moisture in your house despite addressing the water damage issues early on, use a dehumidifier to improve ventilation and control moisture.
5. Radon
Radon is naturally produced 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 methods to regulate 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.