The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution among the leading environmental risks to your health. Mold, dust mites, pet dander, secondhand smoke, and radon are common household air pollutants. But how can you tell if the air in your home is unhealthy? Keep reading to learn more about how to know if your home has unhealthy air.
Health Symptoms
Poor air quality can cause immediate health effects, such as:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Eye, nose, or throat irritation
- Worsened asthma symptoms
These health symptoms could be due to the pollutants in your home’s air, especially if the symptoms improve when you leave your home.
Mold Growth
Seeing mold could be a sign that the air in your home is unhealthy. Mold usually grows in damp or humid environments. It can cause a variety of health problems, such as asthma, allergic reactions, and respiratory infections.
Unpleasant Odors
Unpleasant odors can come from several pollutants. Mold, pollen, dust, and chemical contaminants can all cause unwanted smells.
High Humidity Levels
Indoor humidity levels that are frequently above 50% may also indicate unhealthy air. High humidity makes you uncomfortable and may even make you unable to sleep well. It may also show up as condensation on pipes, windows, and mirrors, water stains on ceilings, and create discolored surfaces in your house. High humidity can promote unhealthy air via the growth of dust mites, mold, cockroaches, viruses, and bacteria, which can negatively affect your health.
Dust Buildup
Have you noticed a significant buildup of dust on your vents, in air filters, or throughout your house? That could point to an increased number of indoor pollutants.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing
You can use IAQ monitors and test kits to determine the level of pollutants in your home’s air.
You can combat unhealthy air by ensuring adequate ventilation, keeping your indoor space clean and dry, using IAQ products like air cleaners and purifiers, and maintaining your HVAC system. Contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services for all your IAQ and HVAC maintenance needs in the Dayton area.
