Indoor air quality has a significant impact on your health, comfort, and quality of life. While we usually think of pollution as being something that exists outdoors, many indoor spaces can have worse air quality than their outdoor counterparts. Depending on the degree of this pollution, residents or tenants might experience symptoms ranging from the common cold all the way through to Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection.
Common Signs of Indoor Air Pollution
Are you worried your home or workplace suffers from poor air quality? These symptoms may indicate an indoor air pollution issue:
- Dry or itchy eyes, nasal passages, and skin
- Seasonal allergy type symptoms
- Coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath
- Heightened asthma symptoms
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
Poor air quality signs can also appear as:
- Visible dust build-up
- Hot and cold areas
- Unpleasant odors
- Mold or mildew
If people in your home or office building are experiencing frequent or chronic illness, indoor air pollution might be the culprit.
Tips for Preventing Indoor Air Pollution
There are many simple and effective ways to improve your indoor air quality. Common ones include:
- Open the windows. When the weather is good and pollen and dust levels are low, open windows to encourage air circulation. Use mesh screens to filter out dust or pests.
- Do not smoke near building structures. Smoking, vaping and even incense can affect the air quality in a building. Smoking should happen outside only and be a suitable distance away from open windows or doors.
- Bathe and groom your pets. Pet dander and hair can significantly affect air quality. Bathe and groom your pets regularly, and wash and vacuum their bedding or nap areas.
- Put down a doormat. Doormats can prevent dust and grime from being tracked into a building. Use both outdoor and indoor mats to minimize dirt—and consider a “no shoes” policy indoors.
- Close the gap. Using a door snake or draft stopper can filter out dust or pollen that might otherwise be blown into a building.
- Use fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Exhaust fans and dryer vents are a simple and effective way to disperse fumes and steam. Install one in every kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area.
- Skip the scents. Candles, air fresheners, and other types of scented products mask odors by adding another fragrance layer on top to dampen unwanted odors. These can affect air quality and exacerbate asthma symptoms, so keep their use to a minimum.
- Stay on top of cleaning. Regularly dusting and vacuuming will reduce the build-up of pollutants. Use a microfiber cloth and be mindful of potential chemical irritants when using cleaning sprays.
- Rethink surfaces and materials. Carpets and rugs can trap pollutants, and some manufactured surfaces can give off VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Install hard flooring, and where possible use natural materials and low-VOC paints and stains.
- Use (de)humidifiers and purifiers. If the humidity levels in your building are outside recommended levels, use a humidifier or dehumidifier to get your moisture levels back on track. Similarly, a purifier can help remove air pollutants and particles from your building.
- Change your filters and have your HVAC serviced. If your HVAC filters are old and your system is running inefficiently, it could be cycling poor quality air through your home. Regularly change your HVAC filters, and have a professional check your system twice a year.
Talk to Shaw About Your Indoor Air Quality
If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home or office building, talk to the experts at Shaw. We can help you identify and solve potential issues, and make sure that your HVAC system is running as it should be. To get your air quality back on track, contact us today!