Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is often associated with significant health risks, like headaches, fatigue, worsening asthma, decreased lung function, and more. If left untreated for a long period, it can even be fatal.
According to the World Health Organization, household air pollution was responsible for 3.2 million deaths in the year 2020, including 237,000 children under the age of five.
Let’s look at a few signs and symptoms that might mean you’re dealing with indoor pollution.
1. Common Symptoms You Might Be Ignoring
Common health issues like headaches, fatigue, sneezing, and coughing could be from a cold or flu, but they can also be signs of poor air quality in your home. If you or someone in the home has worsening asthma, you’re experiencing allergy-type symptoms (especially out of season), or you have respiratory discomfort, these can also be the result of bad air.
Poor IAQ is also associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are compounds that give things smells (everything from perfume to mold), and some can be quite dangerous. VOCs, in turn, can lead to long-term health effects like those listed above.
Pro Tip: You should see a doctor about indoor air-related symptoms if you have any respiratory symptoms, watery eyes, unexplained sneezing, or similar concerns.
2. Dust and Debris: The Silent Warning
Excessive dust around furniture, vents, and especially electronics is a common sign of poor filtration and potentially issues with your home’s air ducts.
Action Tip: Find your indoor HVAC unit, look at the side where the air is coming out, and open it up to inspect the filter. These filters should be changed every 1-3 months.
3. Strange or Persistent Odors
If you have lingering odors like chemical scents (the VOCs mentioned above) or moldy, musty smells, it could mean you have stagnant air and pollutants. If your home HVAC system is working properly, the air is filtered, and no odors are left behind. If they’re still there, your HVAC might not be filtering the air properly.
4. Mold and Mildew: Visible and Invisible Threats
Mold presents many health dangers that can prove fatal over time, starting with sneezing and building up to respiratory issues. Toxic mold inhalation can be caused by spores hiding in HVAC systems, in crawl spaces, or behind drywall.
Quick Guide: To check for mold, you can buy test kits online or do air quality checks. These should be centered around bathrooms, kitchens, window sills, and any other place where moisture tends to accumulate.
5. Humidity Issues: Too High or Too Low
Your home’s humidity should be between 30% and 50% for optimal air quality. If it’s too high, you’ll get clammy air, condensation, and mold growth. If it’s too low, you’ll get nosebleeds, dry skin, and static shocks.
6. HVAC Red Flags
You’ll also want to test your HVAC to make sure it’s working properly and cleaning the air, instead of causing air pollution. If the system produces uneven airflow, cycles frequently, or your energy bills have started to skyrocket, you may have a damaged unit.
You’ll also want to check to make sure the filter’s been replaced recently and that it undergoes regular maintenance. Without it, it can make you sick instead of preventing illnesses.
7. Headaches, Brain Fog, and Fatigue
If you’re experiencing abnormal headaches, fatigue, or “brain fog,” these can also be signs of poor IAQ. Carbon monoxide and indoor air pollutants can affect the way your brain operates by introducing harmful contaminants into your body, leading to lower mental clarity and a lack of energy.
8. Pets, Cleaning Products, and Smoke
We love our pets, but they can introduce allergy-causing dander into the air. Cigarette smoke and strong cleaning chemicals can also affect air quality. Homes with pets or smokers are particularly high risk because the contaminants are continually reintroduced, making maintenance a must.
How to Test and Improve Indoor Air Quality
DIY air quality tests and monitors can easily be purchased online or through a local professional. If you’re concerned about your IAQ, consider plants, air purifiers, air duct cleaning, increased ventilation, and having your HVAC serviced. For whole-home solutions, consider dehumidifiers or air exchangers.
You can also call in the professionals and request a home air inspection.
FAQs About Indoor Air Quality
What is considered unhealthy indoor air?
On a general level, anything in the air that causes symptoms or discomfort is considered unhealthy. For IAQ readings:
-Carbon monoxide should be below 10 ppm
-0.3mcg/cubic meter for VOCs
-Carbon dioxide should be below 800, although the 800-1200 range can lead to mild symptoms. Anything over 1200 is dangerous
-Relative humidity should be between 30% and 50%
How often should I replace my HVAC filter?
HVAC filters should be replaced every 1-3 months, depending on things like how much buildup they have, how big the house is, and other factors.
Can plants really improve air quality?
Yes! Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen (i.e., clean air), making them perfect for purifying the air and improving your IAQ.
Breathe Easier With One Hour Orlando
Having high-quality air is important for every home, as indoor air pollution can be extremely dangerous or even fatal, especially for children, the elderly, and others sensitive to bad air.
It’s important to be proactive about air quality management because it can become a real problem if these issues are allowed to fester. Routine checks, maintenance, and improvements should be done as often as necessary.
If you’re in Orlando, Florida, or the surrounding area and you’d like a professional air quality inspection, call One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating Orlando to set up an appointment. Instead of waiting around for a company to show up “when they get to it,” call the professionals who arrive on time guaranteed.
With One Hour Orlando, we’re always on time or you don’t pay a dime!