Is High Indoor Air Quality Important?

Most of us have heard at some point in our lives that outdoor air pollution is harmful to our health. What isn’t said as often is that indoor air pollution can be even more dangerous than outdoor air pollution. It can actually be two to five times worse, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Not only that, but we spend about 90% of our time indoors. This means that your indoor air quality, or IAQ, is just as important as outdoor air quality — if not more.

At Ball Heating & Air Conditioning, it is our priority to make sure your IAQ is top-notch. Especially during the time, we’re in today, maintaining a healthy and high air quality should be a priority for everyone.

Keep reading to learn more about the effects of indoor air quality and how to keep yours as healthy as possible!

Health risks

Poor indoor air quality affects everyone differently. Some people may find certain situations harder to tolerate than others. For example, those with weaker immune systems, such as young children or older adults, tend to feel the effects more often.

However, poor air quality can affect anyone and can have both short-term and long-term effects. Here are a few short-term effects people report from poor air quality:

• Irritation to the nose, throat, eyes or skin
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Sinus congestion

Long-term effects might not be as immediate or noticeable as short-term effects, but they’re even more harmful and sometimes lead to more serious problems. This is why it’s important to pay close attention to short-term effects because over time, they can develop into more serious issues. Some long-term effects include

• Pneumonia 
• Asthma 
• Heart disease
• Lung cancer

Figuring out whether you’re experiencing short-term or long-term effects from indoor air pollution can be difficult. Short-term effects are often blamed on seasonal changes while long-term effects take longer to show up. However, if you’re experiencing short-term effects and you find them going away once you leave your home or work building, it might be time to ask a qualified technician to check the purity of your air. 

Hazards

Indoor air quality is typically defined by how comfortable people feel while inside any building. But what are some factors that can cause poor indoor air quality?

Here are just a few possible culprits:

• Mold
• Dust
• Pet dander
• Pesticides
• Combustion 
• Radon
• Carbon monoxide

Prevention

There are many steps you can take on your own to improve indoor air quality such as replacing AC filters, cleaning and vacuuming regularly or letting fresh air in. But if you’re looking for a more direct and accurate approach, the best thing you can do is to call a professional to perform indoor air quality testing. 

Indoor air quality testing determines the purity of your air. Professionals take samples and analyze the results to identify any biological, chemical or combustion hazards that could affect your air quality. Once the source is identified, you’ll also know the severity of the problem. 

There are countless factors that could be affecting your IAQ, but a professional will be able to help you narrow them down and give you a plan of action. They’ll also be able to tell you if your problems require more complex solutions, such as upgrades to your HVAC system. 

Contact Us

At Ball Heating & Air Conditioning, we take indoor air quality seriously. If you’re a home or business owner and are worried about your air quality, we are happy to perform the appropriate tests that’ll bring you peace of mind.