Indoor air pollution is a serious problem in many homes, yet, we do not typically think about the air quality in our homes. When we think of indoor air pollution we typically think of smoke pouring from the floorboards or out through the vents because this is what we see when we are outdoors from large manufacturing companies and vehicles.
For this reason, it is hard to discover that we have a problem and to know what to do about it. However, once we know where the issue is coming from, we will then be able to minimize the amount of air pollution or to find ways to clean the air. This will help make our homes healthier and safer for everyone who lives in the home.
Effects of indoor air pollution
According to the EPA, indoor air pollution is the leading cause of health problems caused by the environment and it is 5 times worse than the air we breathe outside if not greater. Most commonly it is our children and the elderly that are affected most by indoor air pollution.
Since we spend the majority of our time indoors, we are constantly being subjected to the things that we breathe in the air. Indoor air pollution has the ability to cause allergies, bacterial infections, spread viruses and other major issues as well. It is estimated that about half of all illnesses can be attributed to indoor air pollution and that over 10 million people suffer from asthma due to the air pollution in our homes.
Children are hospitalized due to asthma related issues quite frequently and asthma is the leading cause of children visiting the hospital at all. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 40% of buildings subject inhabitants to poor indoor air quality. There are even instances when people have certain symptoms while they are at work that dissipates when they leave.
Causes of indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution is caused from inadequate ventilation throughout the home or building. This could mean that there is not enough outdoor air being brought into the home in order to dilute the pollutants that are found in the indoor air. There are multiple sources for these pollutants, such as asbestos insulation, cabinetry that is made from certain wood products, or wet or damp carpet.
There are also other areas that can lead to indoor air pollution, such as smoking in the home, appliances that do not work correctly or certain chemicals that are used to clean the home. There are many long-term health effects of indoor air pollution and it is important for residents to treat the quality of the air so that everyone in the home is safe and healthy.
Conclusion
Not only can poor indoor air quality affect the health of the humans that live in the home, but our pets can be effective as well. This is also something that we should keep in mind when we are thinking about keeping the air quality of our home healthy for every member of the household.