Indoor air quality refers to air pollutants present in your indoor air space and has dangerous effects on people’s work performance, comfort and health. Below is a list of five indoor air pollutants and their risks to you and your loved ones in Opelika, AL.
Disinfectants and Cleaners
A clean, sparkling and fresh environment is the desire of most people. To achieve that standard of cleanliness, most people use multiple chemical disinfectants, sanitizers and cleaners to help you clean your surfaces.
Most of these cleaning aids contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and when they come into contact with the air you breathe, they expose you to various dangerous respiratory issues.
If you must use chemical cleaning agents and disinfectants, ensure your space is well-ventilated and while at it, remember to follow the manufacturer’s guide on how to use the products.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is one of the most dangerous indoor air pollutants. The gas emanates from the combustion of fuels. Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, making it hard to detect its presence in your space.
Inhaling carbon monoxide reduces the levels of oxygen in your body. This can result in a fast heart rate, nausea, dizziness and headaches. High levels of carbon monoxide in your blood can result in death.
To keep safe, install a carbon monoxide monitor detector in your indoor space and ensure the area has good ventilation. Furthermore, call a certified technician to check and maintain your oil, gas and heating appliances annually.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber in soil and rocks. The mineral fiber is rich in fiber strength, and it is heat-resistant, making it a go-to construction building material for fire retardation and insulation.
Many manufacturing companies use asbestos to produce their goods until it was banned in 1989. You can still find it in products that were produced before this date.
Untouched asbestos can rarely pollute indoor air. It can only be dangerous when you touch it during remodeling, cutting and sanding activities. Touching asbestos improperly causes it to release harmful fibers that can cause cancer. If you need to work on asbestos in your indoor space, you should hire a professional who knows how to work with this safely.
Carpets
A newly installed carpet may emit dangerous chemicals due to the glue holding the carpet on the floor and its vinyl backing. The carpet’s chemical releasing process is off-gassing.
Carpet off-gassing can cause shortness of breath, asthma-like reactions, dizziness, nausea and headaches. Little kids, especially those with allergies and asthma, are more affected by carpet off-gassing since they spend most of their time close to the carpet.
Ventilate the first three to 10 days heavily after carpet installation. Also, invest in an air filter after installation.
Passive Smoking
With an estimation of a quarter of a billion people dying from passive smoking since 1964, Secondhand smoke is one of the most dangerous indoor pollutants. The source of secondhand smoke is not necessarily indoors.
Smoke contains toxins that are harmful to adults and children. Exposure to passive smoke can result in ears and respiratory health issues. Smoke exposure consequences take longer to manifest, thus making it easy for many people to ignore passive smoke as a danger to their health. Make sure that anyone who smokes, does it outside and not inside your home.
To manage indoor air quality, you must understand the source of the pollutants in your indoor space. Call Indoor Solutions for your HVAC maintenance or indoor air quality services today.
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