Did you know that the quality of the air you are breathing indoors may be worse and substantially more polluted than the air outdoors? It’s true! The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) makes reference to several scientific studies that have concluded that even in the most industrialized cities the air indoors is commonly more polluted than the air you breathe outside. Other studies have shown that most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors: whether at home, work, or elsewhere. With people spending that much time indoors it makes it all the more important to address the poor indoor air quality.
What causes poor indoor air quality?
There are many factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality. One of the main causes of poor indoor air is inadequate ventilation of fresh air in the home. As building processes and technologies have advanced, homes are being built much more “air-tight”. This is a great for your wallet because it keeps the air that you are cooling or heating inside of the home instead of leaking out under doors or through hidden cracks. But it is bad for the quality of air inside your home. Without any fresh, outdoor air to circulate through your home, the pollutants inside your home may build up to dangerous levels – that can even cause health problems for you and your family.
Where do these pollutants come from?
The EPA lists these sources: Combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution. Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in house-keeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.2 Indoor air quality is not something to shrug off. Join us next week as we discuss how you can tell if the air inside of your home or business is polluted. For more information about Anchor, your local air conditioning company – give us a call at 770-942-2873 or contact us on the web: www.anchorac.com. You can also join our online community at Facebook where we share daily tips, articles and fun facts. We look forward to connecting with you. Online References: 1https://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidestory.html 2https://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html