Indoor Air Pollution

Studies have shown that most people spend 90 percent of their time indoors. This means that pollution inside of the home can have an even bigger negative impact on your health than outdoor air pollution. The good news is that air pollution is one risk to your health that you can do something about.

Health symptoms can be a sign of indoor air pollution

Some health symptoms can be signs of indoor air pollution, especially if those symptoms began shortly after you move to a new home, remodel or redecorate, or treat the home for pests.

Hayfever-like symptoms such as nose, eyes and throat irritation are signs of possible indoor air pollution.

Shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy and problems with digestion can also be caused by indoor air pollution.

Look for these known sources of indoor air pollution

Unvented or improperly vented heaters such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and kerosene heaters are common sources of indoor air pollution. Pesticide use in the home is another common source.

Also, Look for signs that there are ventilation problems in the home, such as condensation on windows or walls, stale smelling air, unclean central heating or air conditioning equipment, and any signs of mold.

The 5 best ways to prevent indoor air pollution in your home

The first step to take is to increase ventilation in your home, which can be as simple as opening up a few windows. This is especially important if you are using any pesticides, paint or toxic household cleaners.

Install fans that vent to the outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms to cut down on moisture that can cause indoor mold, as well as to ventilate gases generated through cooking on a gas stove.

Get rid of any damp carpeting or make sure to get it clean and dry before mold can start to grow.

Have an HVAC professional inspect, clean and give a tuneup to the central heating system annually, and have any leaks addressed right away.

Pressed wood products such as particleboard have been show to emit indoor air polluting formaldehyde that can cause the type of symptoms shown above, and may even be a possible cause of cancer.

If you must use furniture made of these materials, try to avoid placing them in a bedroom so you aren’t breathing in the formaldehyde all night while you sleep.

Indoor air pollution can have serious effects on your health, but luckily, there are steps that can be taken to reduce or prevent it in the home.

Make sure you're breathing fresh air in your Las Vegas home. Call Anytime Plumbing, Inc at 702-362-9300, and get the experts to solve the problem.