With the worsening air pollution in most urban areas, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re breathing clean air. The one place you can control is in your home. Did you know that indoor air pollution can be several times as bad as outside? Common air contaminants become trapped inside your home and can affect your air quality quickly.
Service Wizard provides Austin indoor air quality services every single day. We know exactly what’s in your air and what can be harmful to you and your home’s health. Keep reading to learn the most typical air contaminants that are probably floating in your air right now!
Biological Invaders
Possibly the most populous kind of air pollution in your home is biological particles. From plants to animals to microbes, these particles find your air to be the perfect highway to travel on. Nearly every home has at least some of these particles in their air, but an overwhelming amount can lower your indoor air quality.
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Dead skin
- Hair/Fur
- Mold
Exposure to this kind of air pollution can lead to particularly annoying and even dangerous side effects. If members of your home have respiratory sensitivity or conditions, they might be at a higher risk for symptoms like these:
- Irritated eyes or skin
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
Gases
There are a number of different gases in your air at most times, but when the trace amounts turn into significant amounts, it can be dangerous. How do gases get into your home? Many homes have gas-powered appliances like ACs, stoves, ovens and water heaters. When an appliance is fueled by gas, it has to burn the fuel to create energy. This process always produces byproducts such as carbon monoxide. If your home doesn’t have carbon monoxide detectors or other gas detectors, a leaking appliance can pose a huge threat to your air quality and your health!
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are also dangerous and common gases released into the home by the use of many household products. Paints, air fresheners, disinfectants and craft supplies are some of the most popular sources of VOCs.
Particulate Matter
The combustion of other materials like wood or wicks releases particulate matter into your home as well. The use of fireplaces isn’t as common in Austin, but particulate matter can be produced by cigarettes, candles and even unvented space heaters. When inhaled, particulate matter can affect the lungs and heart — sometimes seriously!
Moisture
While all air has some amount of moisture in it naturally, high levels of humidity can have adverse effects on your air quality. In Austin, we experience the Texas humidity pretty often. Not only do high humidity levels have an effect on our bodies, but they also affect our home systems. Air conditioners struggle to dehumidify, mold tries to find a foothold to grow and energy efficiency seems to go out the window. Dehumidifying measures are the best hope for limiting the effect of moisture in the air.
Do You Need Professional IAQ Solutions?
Now that you know what’s hanging out in your air, you may be eager to get rid of all those stubborn particles. Luckily, Service Wizard can evaluate your air, pinpoint the particles in question and provide the best air purification or filtration solutions for your home. All you have to do is give us a call!
