Have you been struggling with health problems the last couple of months and don’t know why? Maybe your allergy symptoms are worse than ever, or maybe something has triggered an onset of migraines and you can’t pinpoint what it is. The air you are constantly breathing in may be the reason why. Your home’s air quality is more important than you think and you should do everything you can to maintain it. Below are two ways your home’s air quality may affect your health and how to minimize indoor air pollution.
Poor Air Quality Contributes To Asthma
There are many health effects associated with air pollutants that many people tend to overlook. If you or a family member have been exposed to harmful air pollutants, this may lead to upper respiratory-related issues like asthma in some people. This is because harmful air pollutants can irritate the airways, causing them to enlarge and constrict, resulting in breathing difficulties. Pollutants can also make some people more susceptible to upper respiratory infections (such as colds), which can exacerbate asthma symptoms. Unfortunately, asthma isn’t the only health related issue that may be caused by poor air quality. Other symptoms that may be caused by poor air quality include:
- Headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath
- Sinus congestion, cough, and sneezing
- Eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation
- Dizziness and nausea
Poor Air Quality May Cause Long-Term Illnesses
According to the World Health Organization, household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5. Long and short-term exposure to these air pollutants may go beyond causing you to have simple allergies, and actually lead to long-term illnesses like:
- Heart disease
- Strokes
- Lower respiratory infections
- Lung cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Who Is At Risk?
You may be wondering if you’re at risk of any health issues caused by poor indoor air quality. The answer is, you can’t rule anyone out! Although research has shown that most people who develop these health issues are those with pre-existing health conditions, a perfectly healthy person can also be affected by poor air quality levels.
How To Maintain A Good Indoor Air Quality
We understand that all the health-related issues that poor indoor air quality may cause are scary. That’s why we’re here to help maintain your home’s air quality and prevent any complications.There are many simple things you can do to maintain the air quality levels in your home. One of the main things you can do to reduce indoor air pollution is to clean your system’s air filters. Cleaning your air filters will help trap harmful pollutants such as dust and pet dandruff. Additionally, doing this will benefit your AC system as it will prevent it from overworking itself when the filters become clogged. Other simple things you can do to reduce indoor air pollution include:
- Using cooking vents when cooking a meal
- Keeping your rugs and carpets clean
- Control the humidity levels in your home
- Check your air ducts