It’s no secret that we’ve all been spending a lot of time indoors lately. And with the EPA declaring that indoor air pollutants are now an even bigger threat to our health than pollution outdoors, it’s more important to protect your indoor air quality than ever before. But what exactly are you protecting your indoor air quality from? By knowing which pollutants and allergens are most likely to affect your household specifically, you will be better prepared to fight them. Keep reading to learn about the three big threats to your indoor air quality, and remember that for the best IAQ products on the market, you can always call our experts at A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical.
The 3 Big Threats to Your Indoor Air Quality
- Particulates: Particulates, or particles, to use the less technical term, consists of anything in your air measuring 100 microns (one-millionth of a meter) or smaller. Particulate matter can include dust and various other debris, including pollen, pet dander, and more. While the particles in your air don’t always lead to serious health concerns, they can make life extremely difficult for those with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues. To help reduce particulate matter, we recommend installing high-efficiency air filters to help clean the air being circulated by your heating and AC systems. The right air filters will not only help alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms, they will allow everyone in your home breathe easier and feel better.
- VOCs: VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, include smoke, fumes, and vapors that cause nasty odors and may have a negative effect on your health. Common household VOCs include everything from paint and cooking fumes to vapors from certain perfumes and cleaning products. If you have been experiencing any kind of exhaust/ventilation issues in your home, or you are noticing gaseous smells around your property, call a professional right away to ensure you are not dealing with a more serious issue. Of course, even prolonged exposure to less toxic VOCs can have negative consequences for your health, so it never hurts to install air filters or scrubbers to help eliminate the presence of VOCs on your property.
- Biological Contaminants: A biological contaminant can be any kind of microscopic organism that is transferred through your air and can be harmful when ingested. This includes mold spores and common household bacteria on one end of the spectrum and various viruses and pathogens on the other. In addition to spreading disease, biological contaminants can cause a ton of health problems, including excessive coughing and sneezing, eye and skin irritation, headaches and nausea, and even joint pain. You can help get rid of biological contaminants that may be present in your air by using high-performance air filters and scrubbers, as well as UV lights that are designed to kill germs. Eliminating as many biological contaminants as possible is particularly important if you have any children, elderly people, or immunocompromised individuals living in your home. However, to reduce the rates of sickness and disease for everyone in your household, it is always a good idea to do everything you can to eliminate the presence of biological contaminants.
To begin your journey to better indoor air quality, call A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical today at (503) 694-3396 to schedule service, or click here to request an appointment online.