Your home’s role is to protect you from the dangers of the outdoors, which can include the risk of getting sick, especially in the cold and flu season. However, this can be undermined if it is, in fact, your home that might be making you sick. Poor air quality can lead to a stressed-out immune system, making you a lot more susceptible to viruses, and can even cause respiratory issues on itself. So, what causes bad air quality, and how do you deal with it?
Underloved HVAC
Your HVAC appliances play a huge role in the air quality of the home. From your AC to your heating and ventilation, airflow through these appliances and their ductwork can lead to a buildup of dust, pollen, and other allergens. Then, when the systems are on, these contaminants can circulate around the home, triggering allergies, coughing, headaches, and more. Make sure you clean your vents when necessary, replace old filters, and arrange for routine professional servicing to keep the airflow clear in the home.
Pesky VOCs
Volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs, have gained a little more profile and notoriety as of late for their presence in a wide range of home goods. They show up in a lot of furniture and fixtures, including laminate flooring and carpets, but also in cleaning products. They’ve been linked to issues with headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and sore throats, and are typically strongest when opening these products for the first time. Improving the ventilation in the home and opening your windows can help eliminate them from the air, but in general, it’s best to rely on low or no-VOC products, especially for cleaning products you use regularly.
Hidden Mold
Any damp or poorly ventilated spaces can become a haven for mold. In the winter, when we keep our windows closed and our heating on, this can become the whole home. Even a small patch can release spores that cause allergies, lead to asthma flare-ups, and persistent coughs and sinus issues, even in otherwise healthy individuals. If you notice black spots, musty smells, or recurring condensation, consider enlisting the services of professional mold removal services. If the problem doesn’t go away after a cleaning, then you might need to go deeper to remove the mold entirely.
Pest Presence
Unwanted guests can bring all manner of contaminants into your home. Rodents, cockroaches, dust mites, and thel ike can leave droppings, shed skins, as well as dander that can get swept up into your ventilation system, spreading through the home and causing allergies or respiratory issues. Keep an eye and ear out for signs of pests, like droppings, scratching sounds, or unexplained musty smells, and address them quickly with the help of the professionals when you need to. Aside from eliminating the infestation inside the home, pest control teams can also help seal up the home to prevent it from happening again in the near future.
There are many causes for poor air quality, but the tips to address it are often the same: deal with the source of allergens or pollutants, clear the air, and address moisture levels appropriately.
