Purchase an indoor air quality monitor.
IAQ is not something that enough people consider, so you're probably in the majority if you had no idea that these products existed for consumers. They do, and they are the easiest option on the market today for consistently checking your Indoor Air Quality.
“High levels of ozone reduce lung function and lead to inflammation, or swelling, in the airways. When the levels are high enough, you can get symptoms like coughing or throat irritation. Your eyes might water. Your chest might hurt when you breathe.”
Keep windows open as much as possible. During colder months, opening a window for even a few minutes can improve air quality. Plants not only absorb CO2 and release oxygen, they also rid the air of pollutants commonly found indoors from our carpeting, paints and cleaning products.
Consider Purchasing An Indoor Air Quality Monitor
Indoor air quality monitors test for various particles in the air, and you can find options that test for any or all of the following: Chemical Pollutants. Humidity. Carbon Monoxide.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Most indoor air pollution comes from sources that release gases or particles into the air. Things such as building materials and air fresheners give off pollution constantly. Other sources such as tobacco smoke and wood-burning stoves also cause indoor pollution. Some indoor air pollutants have been around for years.
While air purifiers may not directly or immediately improve a person's health, studies indicate that these devices can help to reduce your exposure to harmful pollutants, which may have long-term health benefits.
Mold, water damage, inadequate indoor air quality, or other underlying issues within your living space could potentially contribute to these health concerns. Understanding and addressing these factors can help create a healthier environment for you and your loved ones.
Dust mites live in your pillows, mattress and bedding and their feces can irritate you, causing cold-like symptoms, asthma and allergies. To reduce dust mites, wash your bedding regularly, vacuum the mattress, use allergen-proof bed covers and replace your pillows once a year.
If you experience symptoms like congestion, dizziness, skin rashes, headaches, or nausea—and if these symptoms go away within an hour or two after leaving a particular building—the cause could be sick building syndrome.
Dust mites and bed bugs
Dust mites stick on your pillows, bed sheets, and mattresses. Also, bed bugs can bite, vomit, or excrete on your bedding that can cause skin irritation, allergies, asthma, and flu.
When you breathe in the air full of dust and bacteria, you are risking your health, especially if you already suffer from allergies, asthma, or upper respiratory concerns. Even if you don't experience these problems, clean air is still important and linked with improved sleep and overall better health.
For many of us, though, the bedroom can be a source of anxiety, because we tend to treat it more as a storage unit than a sanctuary. And at a time when 48% of us report lying awake at night due to stress, it's more important than ever to make the bedroom a calming environment for sleep.
Cooping inside for great lengths of time can build up anxiety and restlessness. Feeling restless can also make one become more irritable and upset than usual by seemingly minor things.
Stale or stuffy air and humidity are also good indicators your air isn't moving through your home. Broken or dirty HVAC systems don't function at their highest capacity and won't do your air quality any favors. Also, new carpet, furniture, and renovations can trigger coughing.
Better for Your Health
Running an air purifier can have numerous benefits for your sleep and health. From cleaning the air to reducing allergens and irritants, air purifiers can help you breathe easier and sleep better at night.
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.
Air purifiers are devices designed to clean and sanitize the air in your home. They remove impurities in the air, including dust, smoke, odors, and other air pollutants. "Air purifiers (also called air cleaners) are designed to remove small particles from the air we breathe indoors," Mendez says.
If you spend time outside on a day when the AQI is high, the air pollution can make you feel unwell very quickly, but this is usually temporary. However, breathing polluted air for months or years can result in long-lasting or permanent health impacts.