Why You Should Take The Air Quality Of Your Home Seriously
The air quality of your home should not be something you ignore. Everything from allergies to lung cancer has been linked back to the indoor air quality within the home.
Indoor air quality has become more of a problem now that the building envelop on homes has become increasingly tighter. Modern homes have become more energy efficient which allows the air inside your home to stay in your home. Thanks to the lack of air transfer, it has made houses much easier to heat in the winter and cool in the winter. However, this can be especially problematic if the air quality of your home is not up to standards.
We have all begun to understand the harmful effects of outdoor pollution. However, it is just as important, if not more so, to improve our quality of air within the home too. Because of our indoor air being contained within the home, there is little you can do to clear the air when there is something foul inside.
Chemicals
However, we have good news. That indoor air quality of your home can be controlled. While you do have the problem of indoor chemicals, dust mites, and other toxins to worry about, you can work towards controlling and reducing your exposure. For example, being careful to avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning can reduce you and your family’s exposure to its harmful chemicals.
Moisture
Another way to help impact the quality of your indoor air is to control and reduce the moisture and water problems in your basement and crawlspace. A wet environment can easily cultivate mildew and mold. While some types of mold are perfectly harmless, there are many that can trigger allergies and exasperate asthma symptoms. In rare cases, toxic mold can even do serious damage to your lungs.
Radon
Another fatal, but preventable indoor air issue is radon. Radon gas is a natural soil gas that can come into your home through cracks and gaps in your foundation. High levels of radon can put you and your family at great risk for lung cancer even for those who are nonsmokers. In fact, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second for smokers.
The quality of your indoor air is not something to ignore. The air we breathe in our homes not only effects our health, but also the health of our family too. So make sure to chose your cleaning chemicals wisely. Waterproof your basement and crawlspace. And lastly, keep your foundation in good condition and get any cracks repaired immediately.