It can be uncomfortable outdoors when there’s a high air quality index score — but can air quality make you sick? Yes, and in more ways than one. Breathing polluted air can significantly impact your well-being, which is why you should take it seriously.
However, outdoor air quality alerts aren’t the only problem you need to look out for. In some cases, the air inside your home or business can be just as poor or worse. If you want even more of a reason to pay attention to your building’s indoor air, here’s a look at four ways it can directly affect your health.
The Impact of Air Quality on Health
Various Irritations
When we breathe in polluted air, it can irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, leading to discomforts such as sore throat, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. These irritations are not just discomforting but are indicators of the presence of harmful substances in our living or working environments. As such, maintaining good air quality indoors can mitigate these adverse health effects and promote a healthier living space.
Worsened Allergies
Exposure to poor air quality indoors can exacerbate allergy symptoms, too. Pollutants like pet dander, pollen, and dust accumulate indoors — especially in poorly ventilated spaces and worsen allergies.
This environment creates a prime setting for allergic reactions as the immune system responds to these airborne particles. The presence of particulate matter and other air pollutants intensifies symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and difficulty breathing, which highlights the need for effective strategies to improve air quality and reduce exposure to these irritants.
Respiratory Concerns
Severe indoor air pollution can facilitate respiratory problems, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Long-term exposure to polluted air that contains fine particles and harmful gasses, like nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, can damage lung tissue and lead to chronic respiratory conditions.
Additionally, those with pre-existing lung diseases may experience worsened symptoms, which underscores the relationship between indoor air quality and respiratory health. Implementing measures to improve air quality can play a significant role in preventing the onset and exacerbation of lung diseases.
Viruses and Illness
Poor indoor air quality is a vehicle for circulating airborne illnesses and can cause health problems. Viruses and bacteria can thrive and spread in environments with bad air quality, elevating the risk of sickness among occupants.
This risk is particularly noticeable in areas with inadequate ventilation, where airborne particles remain suspended in the air for longer periods. Enhancing ventilation and maintaining clean air through regular HVAC system checks can significantly reduce the spread of airborne illnesses, ensuring a healthier indoor environment.
What Causes Poor IAQ?
The Environmental Protection Agency identifies several sources of indoor air pollution, including outdoor air pollution that infiltrates indoors, emissions from household products, and materials that release gasses like carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. In addition, cooking and the use of heating systems can further deteriorate indoor air quality by introducing particulate matter and other pollutants into the air.
This mixture of pollutants from both indoor and outdoor sources contributes to unhealthy air quality indoors that poses a risk to health and well-being. Addressing these sources through improved ventilation and regular maintenance of your heating and air conditioning systems can enhance indoor air quality and protect you from its harmful effects.
If Your Home or Business Has Air Quality Problems, Reach Out to Air Supply
When you call Air Supply Heating and Air Conditioning for IAQ services, you can say goodbye to particle pollution in your home or business. We offer air duct cleaning, air filter and purifier services, UV germicidal lights, and much more so that you can breathe clean, healthy air. Call us today to schedule a service for your Las Vegas property!
