If you’re like most people, you hear the words “poor air quality” and you immediately think of outdoor air quality. Here in the Los Angeles area air pollution and smog can be large areas of concern. Health problems related to poor outdoor air quality can be alarming. But did you know that poor indoor air quality can also cause health problems for you and your family members inside your home?
Indoor Air Pollution Definition
In order to protect your family from the dangers of poor indoor air quality, first we should clarify what indoor air pollution and indoor air quality is. Wikipedia defines indoor air quality as a term which refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Indoor air pollution is when pollutants from things such as gases and particles contaminate the air indoors.
What Are the Most Common Air Pollutants?
What types of things are common pollutants for our indoor air? Second-hand smoke is one of the largest culprits for decreasing the quality of the air inside of homes and buildings. Radon is also a huge contributor of decreasing indoor air quality. Radon is an invisible, radioactive atomic gas that can be found in rock formations beneath buildings or in certain building materials themselves. Radon is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths from lung cancer each year. Molds and other allergens in the air cause large problems indoors every year as well. One of the most toxic indoor air contaminants is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to nausea, unconsciousness, and even death.
Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality
If your home has become polluted with some of these common pollutants, there are symptoms that may present themselves in you or your family members. There are both short term and long term complications that can arise from breathing in contaminated air. Short term symptoms include coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, itchy eyes, fatigue, nosebleeds, dizziness, headaches, and congestion. Many homeowners will chalk these symptoms up to allergies or colds. If getting out of the house and taking a breath of fresh air relieves these symptoms, your indoor air quality could be the culprit. Repeated exposure to indoor air pollutants can be hard to pinpoint because victims may become accustomed to feeling ill. If you have reoccurring lethargy, chills or feverishness, nausea, or recurring headaches you may be a victim of indoor air pollution. Trusting your body and listening to your symptoms is extremely important.
How Can You Improve Indoor Air Quality?
What can homeowners do to ensure their indoor air quality doesn’t become polluted? Changing your air filters monthly is an easy solution that makes a large difference. Having the duct system in your home professionally cleaned can also help keep the quality or your air safe for your family. If there is a problem in your vents, a quality cleaning can you help you find and fix it. Having your carpets professionally cleaned every quarter will help remove allergens from your carpets.
Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning Services & More in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Northridge & Greater Los Angeles, California
Every homeowner wants to keep their home as safe as possible for your family. Being educated about the causes and consequences of poor indoor air quality is the first important step. Proactively attacking air quality in your home can be simple. Just call Eco Clean Carpet Cleaning today and we can set up an appointment to clean your carpets and air ducts to remove air pollutants that can be lowering the quality of your indoor air. We want all of our customers to live in homes that are clean and safe for their families!