Common Air Pollutants Found Indoors

When you think of polluted air, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a massive factory churning out stinking clouds of smoke or aged cars emitting exhaust emissions.

Although outside air pollution looks deadly, indoor air pollution has detrimental impacts. The first step toward ensuring your family’s protection is understanding the circumstance when it comes to air pollutants and how it affects your air conditioning in Edmonton and Calgary. 

The most common indoor air contaminants are listed below.

Pollutants In Biological Systems

Bacteria, dust, mites, pollen, pet saliva, and viruses are examples of biological pollution. By keeping your home’s relative humidity between 30 and 50%, you can reduce the presence of most biological pollutants.

In your premises, mildew, mold, insects, and bacteria thrive in stagnant water and water-damaged items. Most biological pollutants are small enough to be inhaled and can cause allergic reactions such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and allergic rhinitis.

Keeping biological air pollutants at bay requires good housekeeping habits and adequate maintenance of your HVAC in Spruce Grove. One solution to avoid mold growth is to keep your home’s moisture levels under control. 

With comprehensive pest management, control the number of insects and animal allergies in your house. You can also install vented exhaust fans in the bathrooms and laundry dryers to remove moisture.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Because CO has no odor or color, it can quickly intoxicate your home without you even realizing it. Despite being a highly poisonous gas, its vapors are tasteless and odorless. 

As a result, carbon monoxide can impact you before you even realize it. CO exposure has different impacts on different people. With age and exposure levels, the extent can expand.

Carbon monoxide is produced by a variety of sources, including:

• Gas space heaters with no venting
• Furnaces and chimneys that are leaking
• Gasoline-powered generators and other equipment
• Automobile exhaust from surrounding parking lots or roads
• Incomplete oxidation during kerosene or gas heater combustion

Keep your combustion equipment in good working order and tweak it as needed. Vehicle usage should be kept to a minimum, especially in regions near residential areas. Make sure your home has proper airflow.

Asbestos

Asbestos has a wide range of applications in construction materials due to its great heat resistance and fiber strength. It’s also used as a fire retardant and insulation. Unfortunately, the chemical has negative health and well-being impacts, including lung scarring and mesothelioma.

High levels of asbestos are released when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by sanding, cutting, or other renovation techniques. Asbestos can be unconfined into the air if the materials are handled incorrectly, putting those in the area in danger.

Secondhand Smoke

This is the smoke that results from the combustion of tobacco products. It can be caused by cigars, pipes, cigarettes, and smokers. 

According to the EPA, secondhand smoking is a category A carcinogen, containing over 7,000 compounds. Between rooms in a house, apartments, and automobiles, there is a lot of exposure.

Cardiovascular illness, lung cancer, and sudden infant death syndrome have been related to secondhand smoke. It can also exacerbate chronic lung illnesses in youngsters, such as asthma. 

Unfortunately, improving ventilation or opening windows in your home will not reduce exposure to secondhand smoking. Designating distinct smoking zones is the greatest strategy to reduce exposure.

Pesticides

Disinfectants and insecticides are common pesticides. According to studies, many of these drugs find their way into people’s homes.

Pests could come from a variety of places, including the following: 

• Pesticide canisters that have been stored
• Outside dust or soil that is contaminated
• Surfaces in the home that gather and release pesticides

Pesticides can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, harm the central nervous system, and raise cancer risk. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when applying pesticides, dilute them outside, and use non-chemical pest-control alternatives to limit contact.

Conclusion 

Aside from all indoor air pollution sources in your home, you may also be concerned about outdoor air pollution, particularly if you live in an area with a lot of traffic or local industry. Outdoor air pollution is a public health issue in many densely populated locations, but you can help lessen your impact by using less energy at home, no matter where you live. To reduce your footprint, install a smart thermostat, purchase green energy, always maintain your air conditioning with HVAC repair, or even go car-free on some days of the week!

At Legacy, we specialize in HVAC systems for residential new home construction (RNC) and installing and replacing furnaces, air conditioners, air cleaners, thermostats, humidifiers, heat recovery ventilation (HRV) units, humidifiers, and unit heaters, as well as other HVAC products! Contact us if you need help with your HVAC in Edmonton and Calgary!