How to Determine Poor Air Quality at Home
Indoor air quality is important because we need clean oxygen to breathe. However, we are not always sure that the air we breathe is safe. Most of the time, there are harmful particles mixed in the air that are unknown to us. Often, we think that just because we are at home, we are already safe from harmful particles that can make us sick. What we fail to recognize is that it is possible that our home air quality can cause us more health problems than outdoor air.
It is important to maintain good home air quality at all times as part of ensuring good health. If you are not sure about the quality of your indoor air, here are some ways on how you can determine surrounding problems:
- You see mold or mildew. Molds grow on moist areas like leaky pipes and on surfaces that constantly get wet.
- Humidity is always above 50%. Moisture breeds different types of harmful bacteria in your home that when left untreated, the air in your home gets stuffy and heavy to breathe in.
- Exposed household chemicals like cleaners and solvents. These household chemicals tend to release fumes that get mixed in the air that we breathe causing lung or skin irritation.
- Poor ventilation. Open your windows every now and then for proper ventilation or you can install an exhaust fan.
- Smoking inside the house. Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals and can easily cause poor air quality.
You can always have your home tested for harmful chemicals with indoor air quality testing kits. These air test kits will help you determine which chemicals, toxins, or bacteria are present in your home. In addition, clean your house as much as possible especially if you have pets.
Source:
http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/how-to-know-if-theres-problem.html
http://www.nachi.org/indoorair.htm




