Indoor air (IAQ), which is also known as indoor environmental quality, plays an important role in the health of our bodies. Despite this, the topic is often ignored until health concerns or discomfort arise. We’ll examine the importance of what is good indoor air quality and why we should pay attention to it in this article.
Indoor air quality: Why it matters
Health Impact: Low indoor air quality is associated with a wide range of respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. It can also lead to more severe health conditions, like heart disease and lung infection. These health issues can be prevented by reducing indoor air pollutants.
Air that is clean and fresh can improve our productivity. Better IAQ leads to improved concentration, better sleep, and a general sense of wellbeing. A poor IAQ may cause headaches, fatigue and even a decline in cognition.
Environmental considerations: Improving IAQ may also be beneficial to the environment. Better ventilation and better insulation can help reduce the energy required for heating and air-conditioning.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
In order to know how to improve IAQ it is important to identify the most common indoor contaminants:
Dust Allergens Dust mites (dust mites), pet dander (pet dander) and pollen are known to cause respiratory allergies.
Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs), found in cleaning products and furniture as well as paints, can release harmful chemicals.
Mold and Mildew. These fungi can thrive in humid environments. They release spores which cause respiratory issues.
Tobacco Smoke – Smoking inside is the leading cause of indoor pollution and can lead to a number of health issues.
Indoor Air Quality: How to Improve it
Once we have understood the importance of IAQ and its improvement, let’s look at some concrete steps.
Ventilation Effectiveness: Make sure you have the right ventilation system in place, and that it is used regularly. Open windows and use exhaust fans to bring in fresh air.
Air purifiers are available with HEPA filtering to help remove allergens, particles in the air and other contaminants.
Clean regularly: Regularly dust, vacuum and mop to minimize allergens. Use a HEPA-filter vacuum.
To prevent harmful pollution, avoid smoking inside.
To prevent mould growth, maintain indoor humidity levels at 30% to 50%.
Pick Low-VOC Product: Use low-VOC, or VOC-free, paints, household cleaning supplies and products.
Maintenance of HVAC systems: Clean and service your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), to keep contaminants from building up.
Take into consideration houseplants. Certain plants help to purify the atmosphere by absorbing pollutants.
Check for Radon and Carbon Monoxide. Test your house for radon, and install detectors for carbon monoxide to make sure you are safe.
It is important to improve indoor air for health and comfort. Adopting healthy habits and taking action to reduce air pollution indoors can help us create a more comfortable and safer living space for our family and ourselves.