Are you aware of the pollutants that you and your family are breathing inside of your home?
Have you ever thought about the air you breathe in? Is it safe and healthy, or does it contain allergens and contaminants? Although you might like to believe that the air inside your house is clean and fresh, it is far from true in most cases. The air inside the house tends to be contaminated by dust, fumes from cooking, smoke, and other particles. Even more troublesome is the fact that many of these contaminants are extremely harmful for your health, and can cause allergies and various diseases.
Why You May Need an Indoor Air Quality Test For Your Home
HVAC experts recommend an indoor air quality test to check for any harmful contaminants such as mold growth, asbestos, pet dander, pesticides, and others pollutants. An internal air quality test will identify any contaminants that might be present in the air, and the HVAC company can recommend corrective measures based on the findings of the test. If any of your family members suffer from allergies or frequent illnesses, then it is even more important for you to get an indoor air quality test done. You will be able to identify the culprits in the air and seal all sources of their entry into your home.
Common Air Pollutants
Pet dander and droppings: If you have pets, then it is highly likely that they would be adversely affecting the internal air quality. Maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper ventilation can be helpful.
Combustion fumes: Your home will be susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning if you use gas-fired stove tops, fireplaces, water heaters, or heat pumps. A carbon monoxide detector can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Mold growth: In houses with high humidity levels, mold growth is a common problem. Mold growth can lead to several health problems such as allergies and respiratory diseases. A dehumidifier can help get rid of excess moisture from the air. If moisture is coming from other sources such as leakage in the duct work, then it is best to consult an HVAC company.
Volatile organic compounds: Several household items such as upholstery, paint, and plastics emit volatile organic compounds. These compounds can pose health risks that range from mild to severe, such as brain damage.
Radon and asbestos: These compounds are extremely harmful and may cause serious health problems such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Only professional internal air quality testing can detect the presence of these gases.
Pesticides: Pesticides are an obvious solution to the problem of rodents and pests. However, these toxic chemicals can add volatile organic compounds to the air, and make the internal air poisonous.
Improving the Air Quality Inside Your Home
A professional HVAC company can recommend ways to improve the air quality inside your home and make it fresh and healthy to breathe in. Call Engineered Solutions at (314) 394-0802 today.
Photo credit: Greg Habermann via Flickr
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