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5 Reasons Why Indoor Air Quality Is So Important

Why Is Indoor Air Quality So Important?

You’ve probably heard that outdoor air pollution can make you sick, but the air in your home could actually be worse! Here’s why indoor air quality matters.

There’s a wildfire blazing in your province. The smoke fills the air even if you’re miles away from the actual flames.

You avoid going outside and hurry back to your home if you have to leave. But do you really think that the air inside your house is unaffected by the terrible outdoor air quality?

You’ve probably heard that outdoor air pollution can make you sick, which is why we stay inside when there’s a fire burning. But INDOOR air pollution could actually be worse!

Here are the five reasons why indoor air quality matters.

1. Asthma

Did you know that 26 MILLION North Americans suffer from asthma? That’s one in every 13 people!

With indoor living AND asthma being so common, it makes sense for there to be some correlation. Not necessarily causation, but indoor air pollution can certainly aggravate asthma.

Maybe you’ve noticed that your child’s breathing is strained lately. If that is uncharacteristic or if the normal remedies aren’t helping, it may be your air quality. Indoor pollution irritates your lungs, making breathing harder and even painful.

If you or a family member suffer from asthma, check your air filters. Check your vents.

Update your AC. Invest in a dehumidifier. But before all that, have your air quality tested!

Then you’ll know exactly what needs to be done. You won’t regret it! Fresh air and easy breathing are just a phone call away.

2. Allergies

Are you experiencing nose and throat irritation that has no visible cause? It may be the air you’re breathing night and day in your house.

Poor indoor air quality can lead to cold-like symptoms, including sniffling, sneezing, congestion, headaches, and dizziness. It can exacerbate or even cause allergies.

Especially during “allergy seasons,” you’re not necessarily safe inside your house. You track pollen into your home without even realizing it. It’s on your clothes, on your pet, in your hair, and on the bottoms of your shoes.

Pollen then gets trapped in your ventilation systems. It gets circulated around with your air! You may be breathing it constantly without noticing.

To avoid or alleviate allergies, your indoor pollution must be at a minimum. If you’re not sure about the air quality inside your home, there’s an easy solution. Get it tested!

You may hate what you find (like gross pollen, hair, and other allergen build-up), but you’ll be glad you did it. Don’t wait to better your family’s health.

3. MOLD

Did you know that more than half of the houses in North America contain mold? One of the main places mold grows is in vents or small spaces with poor air circulation.

You know what mold looks like. You know its smell. Is there anything scarier to find in your house, especially when you have small or sickly children?

Mold is dangerous because its toxins enter your body and wreak havoc all along the way. Exposure to mold toxins can cause cold-like symptoms (including bad headaches!) and skin irritation.

Mold is already all over the earth naturally. It’s growing on the ground, climbing trees, and invading caves. Let nature deal with it out there, don’t let it run rampant in your house too!

If you experience humidity in your house or have an older home, a poorly-installed shower, crawl spaces, or have ever had a flood, you probably have mold. That doesn’t mean you need to burn down your house and start over!

But it does mean you should have your air quality tested. Better safe than sorry.

4. Volatile Organic Compounds

Ever wondered about the effect of the household products you store and use every day? Did you know that they emit gases throughout the day that you can’t see?

These gases are called volatile organic compounds. They’re the chemicals released from certain organic substances like household cleaners and disinfectants.

You may assume “organic” is a good, healthy thing, but organic simply means it comes from the earth. The organic solvents you use release these volatile organic compounds, which aren’t healthy to breathe in constantly.

The levels of volatile organic compounds, also called VOCs, are up to five times higher INDOORS than outdoors! This means you and your family are much more exposed to these toxins inside your house, where you live, eat, and sleep.

An indoor air quality test can pick up on volatile organic compound levels that you’re breathing in. Put a stop to excess airborne chemicals in your home today!

 

5. Formaldehyde

You’ve heard of formaldehyde. Usually you hear about it in terms of dead bodies. Yes, it’s used for cadaver preservation!

That should tell you right away that formaldehyde is NOT something you want to be breathing in 24/7. Unfortunately it’s also used in building materials and some household products. This means it’s most likely present inside your house.

It’s normal to have some level of formaldehyde in the air, inside and outside. Formaldehyde is even created by some natural processes, so you can’t totally avoid it.

Small or natural amounts shouldn’t harm you, but excess amounts cause health issues. Are you or your family members experiencing unexplained eyes, nose, or throat irritation? What about uncharacteristic skin redness, itchiness, or irritation?

Have you deduced that it’s not asthma, allergies, VOCs, or mold? Then the culprit might be high levels of formaldehyde in your home.

You can find out easily. All you have to do is get your home’s air quality tested. You’ll then know what levels of formaldehyde are normal and what levels should cause alarm.

 

Indoor Air Pollution is Real, Whether You See It or Not!

Pollution INSIDE your house may be less visible than the smoggy haze sitting over the city, but it’s just as real! Indoor air pollution takes a toll on your health, whether you see it or not.

Poor indoor air quality worsens allergies and asthma, can cause mold in vents and hidden places, and can increase levels of volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde.

Contact us to learn more about getting your air quality tested. You can get peace of mind and better health for you and your family!