Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Because many illnesses can cause these symptoms, diagnosing sick building syndrome is difficult.
EPA's AirNow mobile app provides a simple interface for quickly checking current and forecast air quality information for planning daily activities and protecting your health.
You should purchase an indoor air quality monitor. This device is the easiest way to check the air quality in your home. You can leave it on constantly and it will report the levels of pollution inside your home.
Each day, you can find out what the air quality is like by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI) for where you live. The AQI tells you when high levels of air pollution are predicted for the day. You can use that information to plan for safe and healthy physical activity.
Poor indoor air quality can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, headache, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or other breathing problems or who have allergies may have severe reactions.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products. Lead (Pb) Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
Yes, if you choose an effective air purifier, it will likely support your ongoing wellness at home – and in some cases, prevent problems from arising. 'The contaminants in our home are small enough to be inhaled. Some are so tiny that they can bypass the lungs and head straight into the bloodstream.
Dust mite droppings, dead bodies of dust mites, pet dander, and small insects are included as allergens,” says Ketan Patel, design manager of floorcare at Dyson. Additionally, outside dust is a major contributor to indoor dust. It finds its way into your home through unsealed windows and doors.
A home air quality test can also bring to light problems with your HVAC system or if you have blocked air vents. By discovering these issues and fixing them, you'll improve your home's energy efficiency and in turn, lower your energy bill.
There can be many possible allergens in your home, coming from various sources. DIY Air quality tests cannot accurately test for these allergens, and therefore cannot provide an accurate analysis of your air quality.
Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions.
Don't think you're safe just because you're inside. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the air in homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air. Indoor air pollution can cause big health problems.
Do air purifiers remove dust or not? The short answer is yes, most air purifiers on the market are designed to remove large dust particles from the air. Many feature mechanical filtration, which is a method of capturing pollutants on filters.
This is because, as the temperature drops during the nighttime hours, the atmosphere traps car emissions, CO2, and other pollutants in the house and down near the ground – and the effect is much worse if spaces inside the home are poorly ventilated.
Is it safe to leave an air purifier on all day? Yes, it's safe to leave your air purifier on all day. But, you need to make sure that you clean the filters about once a month. The filters trap heavy amounts of dust and allergens which can be harmful to sensitive groups if they're not cleaned consistently.
The best place to put an air purifier is somewhere in your breathing zone. The closer the unit is to your head, the shorter distance clean air has to travel before it reaches you. In the bedroom, this usually translates to putting the air purifier on a nightstand or small table close to the bed.
While a humidifier can add moisture to the air, it is not designed to remove pollutants or allergens. If you want to improve the air quality in your home or office, an air purifier is a better choice.
Excess Moisture. Moisture is one of the most important and least recognized indoor pollutants, affecting both human health and the health of the building.
The most dangerous of these indoor air pollutants are the colorless and odorless gases nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Nitrogen dioxide can lead to shortness of breath, and irritation of the mucous membranes in the eye, nose, and throat.
Consider Purchasing An Indoor Air Quality Monitor
If you want to monitor your indoor air quality proactively, you can invest in an air quality monitor. These devices constantly check the indoor air quality and provide feedback about the levels of different pollutants.