Understanding the Common Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

Whether it’s in the office, home, school, or dining halls, people use 90% of their time indoors. While we frequently discuss the amount of pollution in the atmosphere, we hardly think of the air quality we inhale indoors. According to studies, indoor air pollution is shown to have damaging effects on our health and is blamed for 4.3 million deaths yearly.

So what are the common indoor air pollutants you should look out for in your house? Let’s find out as we get going.

5 Indoor Air Pollutants to Look Out for

We often think about car emissions, smog, and industry fumes at the thought of air pollution, but we often forget the pollution that happens indoors. According to many professionals, indoor air pollution is much more dangerous compared to outdoor. Indoor air pollution is caused by various factors, and we have enumerated five below to help you be proactive.

1. Asbestos

Asbestos is among the leading culprits of indoor pollution. It’s usually found in materials utilized in the automotive industry and home construction. Asbestos is mainly found in paints, coatings, floor tiles, construction materials, and ceilings. Since newer products and advances in construction materials don’t have asbestos, it’s usually found in homes constructed many years ago. Furthermore, asbestos is banned in numerous countries, including the United States.

2. Biological pollutants

Biological pollutants like bacteria, animal dander, viruses, mildew, mold, dust mites, and other contaminants can infest a home from outdoor areas. These pollutants are sometimes caused by damp environments and excess moisture. So see if you have leakages or unresolved water damage at home and have it fixed by professionals specializing in water restoration in Midlothian, VA.

If indoor pollutants continue lingering around your home, use exhaust fans and vacuum more often to whisk off these contaminants.

3. Mold

Mold is among the major indoor air pollutants that can cause various health problems, including allergic reactions, asthma, lung issues, and other respiratory infections. Mold loves humid environments and damp areas and can be found around the house, like the basement, floorings, walls, and ceilings.

For individuals with weak immune systems and pre-existing conditions like asthma and allergies, mold exposure can exacerbate diseases and serious respiratory infections. So if you discover molds growing in numerous areas of your house, employ restoration professionals immediately to attend to the situation and prevent health risks. You may browse their homepage to see their professional services.

4. Excess moisture

Although the least recognized indoor pollutant, moisture is among the most harmful. It can cause structural issues in your house and even affect your health. Basement leaks and water damage will increase a home’s moisture, so it is necessary to fix these problems with the help of restoration companies. You may check this link for detailed information on what they do.

If there is still excess moisture in your home despite addressing the water damage issues early on, use a dehumidifier to improve ventilation and control moisture.

5. Radon

Radon is naturally generated in the soil, a radioactive gas that enters a home from the ground. It’s also the second leading cause of lung conditions in the United States. There are excellent and inexpensive ways to regulate radon concentrations, which involve connecting a small fan to a PVC pipe system to vent the radon-rich air into the atmosphere and prevent it from entering a home.