The Solution To Indoor Air Pollution

According To EPA Studies, The Poor Air Quality Inside Your Home Is Up To 5x More Polluted Than The Air Outside Your Home!

It’s a top priority for you to feel comfortable in your home, and air quality plays a role in that. When we think of the types of air pollution, outdoor pollutants such as smog and ozone probably come to mind.

Yet indoor air quality is not something to overlook, with Americans spending approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

The EPA estimates that home and building air quality is anywhere from two to five times higher as opposed to outdoor air concentrations. Below we’ll discuss the importance of indoor air quality, the most harmful pollutants, and ensuring that you and your family are safe.

Poor Air Quality Inside the Home and Your Health

There are a number of factors that can contribute to indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution is defined as chemical, biological, or physical contamination of air. Whether that be dust, carcinogens, or other toxins, healthy air within your home is important.

The American Lung Association lists poor air quality as one of the leading causes of lung cancer, while the American Heart Association attributes indoor pollutants to worsening heart issues.

Air pollutants within the home and particulate matter can irritate your lungs, which in turn can cause your immune system to weaken. You can get sick more easily, as well as hinder the natural filtration within your respiratory system to properly remove bacteria and toxins.

Indoor air pollutants affect children the most due to their bodies still developing and growing. Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children, and is linked to poor indoor air quality.

Pollutants in the home can also cause a variety of health problems in older children and adults, which include headaches, throat irritation, itchy/watery eyes, dizziness, and worse asthma symptoms.

Types of Air Pollution in the Home

The toxins we’ll be covering below will be some of the most dangerous pollutants that can be in your living space. In addition, home pollutants can also include:

• Chemical products (home cleaning, personal care products)
• Dust (pet dander, dust mites, pollen)
• Mold

Asbestos

Asbestos was a popular building material due to its heat resilience and strengthening qualities. Heavily used for decades up until the 1980s, most older homes and buildings still contain asbestos.

Usually areas in the home that contain the material won’t pose a hazard if left alone, but working on renovations within an older home can disturb asbestos.

Similarly, over time asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) will deteriorate. Either of these can cause microscopic fibers to be released into the air. Once these fibers are airborne, they can be ventilated through air ducts, or linger on surfaces where they can be breathed in.

Asbestos in your home is dangerous and it can be difficult to identify. However, if you think there’s a risk, asbestos can often be found in areas where the transfer of heat, sound, water, or electricity needs to be avoided. Some of the most common places include:

• Insulation
• Heating and air ducts
• Textured paint
• Floor coverings
• Electrical equipment
• Roofing and siding

Asbestos is one of the most dangerous toxins that can be found within your home. Breathing or ingesting this material can lead to an array of health issues, mainly dealing with the respiratory system.

Once fibers are in the body, they become embedded and lead to scarring and inflammation. Diseases from asbestos exposure can include mesothelioma , asbestosis, lung cancer, and chronic breathing issues.

Asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period of upwards of 50 years, meaning that you may not even be aware that you were exposed to asbestos until much later in life.

Once it became more widespread that asbestos is highly toxic and leads to cancer, restrictions were put in place to help prevent exposure. Many places in the world have a total ban on asbestos, however in the US up to one percent can still be used in products.

Before beginning any type of home remodeling or renovation work, consult an asbestos professional to test your home for any of this material. From there, they can encapsulate affected areas, or remove it completely to ensure your home is free of asbestos.

Lead

Similar to asbestos, lead was once used in older homes and buildings. Mainly an additive in paints and gasoline, lead has since been phased out due to its high toxicity. Lead-based paint is dangerous once it begins to peel, crack, and break down, causing toxic dust to be released into the air.

Lead particles can be ventilated throughout the home and breathed in, creating a major health hazard. It’s hard to spot lead paint with the naked eye, however purchasing an at-home testing kit or getting samples tested by a laboratory is the best way to figure out if it is in your home.

Even in low amounts lead has been shown to affect cognitive functioning, reproductive damage, and increased blood pressure. In the short term, exposure to lead dust can lead to nausea, vomiting, seizures, and even paralysis or death.

Children are the most vulnerable to severe lead poisoning because their nervous systems are still developing.

If the paint is already heavily peeling, hiring a professional who can safely remove the paint is the best option. However if the paint is still intact and in good condition, you can encapsulate it by painting over it.

Never sand or scrape lead paint, instead using special paints will prevent any particles from becoming airborne. In lieu of a traditional water or oil-based paint, you will need specific encapsulant paint to make sure it is adequately covered.

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the ground. While radon is in outdoor air almost constantly, it’s usually at a low level where it won’t create a risk. However the gas can seep up through cracks in flooring, walls, and foundations, becoming stagnant indoors.

Radon is mainly found in basements as it comes up from the earth, but it can also make its way into groundwater and contaminate your wells and water supply. The National Cancer Institute reports that about 1 in 15 homes nationwide contain radon levels at or above the EPA action level. Radon is colorless and odorless, making it impossible to spot with the naked eye.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is considered so dangerous because the gas is slowly accumulating in your body and symptoms can take a while to appear.

Breathing in radon affects the lining of your lungs and begins to give off radiation, causing respiratory irritation. This can include symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath that doesn’t go away.

The US Office of the Surgeon General recommends that every home be tested for radon. Buying a radon testing kit online can reveal if you have the gas in your home, however it’s important to note that you must follow the instructions closely to ensure an accurate reading.

Families can also hire a radon defense expert who can conduct the testing and provide recommendations as needed.

Reducing Indoor Air Pollution & Improving Your Home’s Air Quality

Some of the most effective steps to help improve your home’s air quality can be quite simple. Ventilation within your living space is crucial, during the off-season months keep windows open to allow fresh air in.

Hiring professionals to inspect and clean your AC system guarantees that the air in your home is flowing properly, significantly helping filter out pollutants. You might also be better off buying an entirely new AC system if your current one is beyond repair.

Purchasing air purifiers can further clean out toxins in the air. Education, and remaining aware of the pollutants covered above can help you look out for any potential hazards, and how to stay safe in your home.