6 Biggest Threats to Indoor Air Quality in Amado, AZ

by | Feb 25, 2022 | Articles

Air quality around Amado, AZ, isn’t only important to your health but also to keep your home comfort. Poor air quality means more cleaning, increased repairs and a shorter life for your HVAC system. Be aware of these six biggest threats to your indoor air quality and act quickly to reduce them:

Particulate Matter

Firstly, particulate matter is what most of us think of getting caught by our air filter. This includes dust, dirt, soot, smoke and various other particles that find their way into your house.

These are often microscopic-sized particles and can be hazardous to your health, often containing various carcinogens. The smallest particles flow through your filter and stick together in your system, restricting airflow. This can cause your system to overheat and require repairs after a breakdown.

Allergens

Some particulate matter falls into the category of allergens. This includes pollen, pet dander, dust mites and other biological contaminants. These are obvious problems for people with specific allergies to the substance.

However, it may even affect people who don’t have a specific or severe allergy. These allergens may cause problems that include sleep difficulties, minor congestion or difficulty breathing.

Formaldehyde

You may recognize formaldehyde from the preserved animals in your high school science class. However, what you may not know is that it is commonly found throughout residential homes. You’ll find it in paint, furniture glue, composite wood, lacquers, and even wrinkle-resistant clothing and linen.

Formaldehyde has numerous potential problems. The American Contact Dermatitis Society named it the Contact Allergen of the Year in 2015. Other possible issues include eye, nose and throat irritation, not to mention it’s linked to some cancers.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. These are commonly used in household products, including building materials, clothing, linens, cleaning products, air fresheners and cosmetic products. Some of the chemicals include ethylene glycol, methylene chloride, benzene and a host of others.

Long-term exposure can trigger asthma attacks, itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose, headaches, kidney damage and high blood pressure. It’s important to limit what you’re adding to your air, but also to remove whatever you can. This is in part why good ventilation is so critical, especially during times when you can’t open windows.

Hazardous Gases

It may surprise you, but there are a host of hazardous gases in the air around your home. These may include radon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. These can lead to cancer or even be fatal with a high enough concentration. Keep your gas detectors operational, and test them regularly.

Biological Contagions

Biological contagions are your illness-causing bacteria and viruses. Your immune system may already be operating at less than capacity due to other contaminants. Combine them with these contagions and it’s a recipe for chronic illness in your home.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Finally, there are several options for improving the air quality around your home. Most people first think of air purifiers. However, even before considering filtration, properly managing your humidity is critical. The recommended humidity level is generally between 30% and 50%. This is dry enough to prevent the growth of contaminants that need moisture but moist enough to weigh down contaminants.

Additionally, various styles of purifiers help to render some of the more concerning particles inert. For instance, ultraviolet purifiers will render viruses and bacteria inert, damaging them at the genetic level and preventing replication.

Improving your ventilation also helps improve your air quality, removing some of the dangerous gases that build up. A popular ventilation option is the recovery ventilator, which helps improve your system’s efficiency. In the winter, it transfers heat from the outbound air to the incoming air and reverses in the summer.

Your family deserves the best air quality you can provide them. Call the experts at Oasis Air Conditioning & Heating to schedule your indoor air quality consultation today.

Image provided by iStock

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