Being healthy in today’s fast-paced world can be tricky. In the past, when homeowners wanted to be healthy, they would merely consume healthy foods and try to exercise more.
The world, however, is not the same as it was when our parents were growing up. Today, in addition to exercise and diet, those trying to live healthy lifestyles have to think about the air they are breathing, particularly the air they breathe inside.
Why? A growing number of studies are showing the air within our homes and can be far more polluted than the air we breathe outdoors. Even in the biggest U.S. cities where most people think of the air as being smoky full of smog, this is still the case.
And, with people spending about 90 percent of their time indoors, it makes indoor air pollution an even greater health risk than outdoor air pollution.
Why does the air in my Westerville home matter so much?
Indoor Air Quality has a significant impact on our well being, health, energy levels, mood, and brain function. Experts at the Environmental Protection Agency say the air we are breathing in our homes and workplaces can be up to anywhere from two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors. In fact, in the worst cases, it can be up to 100 times worse.
This seems counterintuitive because we usually associate pollution to the outside because of smoke and smog. However, when we think about how tightly insulated homes are made to keep energy costs down while keeping heated or cooled air inside, it begins to make more sense; Indoors, the air has no place to go. Outdoors, in the vast open spaces, Mother Nature has a variety of ways of cleaning up the air, the wind and the trees being only two. In the enclosed spaces of a building, however, without outdoor air being pulled in to circulate the air, indoor air pollution is a problem.
Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution
The immediate health effects sometimes surface shortly after a single, or a few, exposures to a pollutant. Symptoms include irritation of the eyes, throat, nose, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
The long-term health effects include heart disease, respiratory illness and even cancer. Health experts say in extreme cases, although rare, it can even be fatal.
Because indoor air has more significant health implications than outdoor air, we at Westerville Air Conditioning & Heating advise homeowners take measures to guarantee their health and their loved ones’ health.
Some of these measures might include using extra ventilation, getting an air filtration upgrade, and identifying and eliminating sources of indoor air pollution.
LET US HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY
We at Westerville Air Conditioning & Heating care not only about your home comfort levels, but also about the health of you and your loved ones. Because indoor air quality has a substantial impact on your health, well being, and energy levels, we hope you find this information helpful. If you’re interested in any of the services and products we offer, or if you’d like to know more, give us a call at 614-810-0075, or click here to schedule an appointment now.
Indoor Air Quality 101: Part 2
