4 Ways to Combat the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Breathing clean air is essential for a healthy home. But did you know indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air? It’s true! According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than they are outdoors.

Your indoor air quality (IAQ) is strongly connected to overall health and well-being. Poor IAQ is associated with the following health problems: 

• Respiratory illnesses 
• Throat and nasal illnesses 
• Complications for heart and lung conditions  
• Coughing 
• Allergies
• Asthma  

Let’s Start with the Culprits

The EPA says that indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air (such as burning fuel for warmth, cooking, or hot water) are a primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough fresh outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and not removing indoor pollutants from the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants (humidity traps pollutants close to the ground, preventing them from dispersing into the atmosphere.) Unvented, or improperly vented appliances, add large amounts of moisture to the air, potentially resulting in bacterial and microbial growth that can damage your home.  

Lastly, everyday use of seemingly innocuous things such as candles, household cleaners with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even Fido’s pet dander, all contribute to diminished air quality in your home.  

4 Ways to Improve IAQ

There are many ways to protect and improve your indoor air quality. In addition to regular dusting, not burning unnecessary fuel, and keeping pets bathed, our IAQ experts recommend the following four key customized air quality solutions that will lead to a healthy indoor environment. 

1. Air Purifiers & Filtration Systems: Air purification systems will help improve your health and well-being by reducing allergens like microbial growth and dust, airborne viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants and contaminants in your indoor air.

    

2. Ventilation Systems: A quality ventilation system will lead to a reduction of airborne contaminants like allergens, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals. They will also help push stagnant air out of your home and bring fresh air in.

    

3. Humidity Solutions: Humidifier or dehumidifier installation can also lead to better indoor air quality. The relative humidity levels in your home should be between 30% and 50%. Higher than 50% will make the air too moist or humid and you’ll be very uncomfortable. Lower than 30%, the dry air can be uncomfortable and damaging.

    

4. UV Germicidal Lights: Biological pollutants are living microorganisms, such as microbial growth, viruses, and bacteria, that are much different than dirt or dust particles. UV germicidal lights use ultraviolet light rays to stop the biological processes of these pollutants and destroy them.