Is my house sick? If your home has poor indoor air quality that in turn is causing illness, then yes your house is “sick”. Your house may suffer from Sick Building Syndrome, which according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) “describes situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified”. Poor indoor air quality can lead to acute health problems such as allergies or headaches to much more severe problems including nausea, asthma, or even cancer.
The EPA has outlined the healthy thresholds for several common substances found in homes or businesses. While many pollutants are safe at low levels, there are a few with no safe levels of exposure. Below are the 6 most common culprits that can cause health issues:
1) Particulate matter can be a dangerous form of pollution. With the small size of the particles, there is a greater chance that they can reach the lungs and cause health issues.
2) Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless, colorless and extremely hazardous gas. Carbon Monoxide monitors are now required in all homes as a leak is difficult to detect otherwise. If you think you might have Carbon Monoxide issues in your home, you need to have the air tested by a professional immediately.
3) Carbon dioxide (CO2) occurs naturally in the air, however indoor levels can become too high due to the lack of airflow in a building.
4) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known as semi-volatile organic compounds. These PAHs are hazardous to people’s health.
5) VOC’s, or volatile organic compounds. A common VOC is formaldehyde which is commonly used in furniture production. Methylene chloride is a compound found in household cleaning solvents which can be very harmful if inhaled over time.
6) Radon is a radioactive gas that is created when uranium decays in the soil. This gas is a well-known carcinogenic, and there are no safe levels of exposure. Radon gas buildup is more common in the basement or lowest level of the home. If your home is older and hasn’t been tested for Radon, call a professional for a test.
How Can I Improve My Air Quaility?
Check the labels and buy low-VOC products, such as cleaning products.
Invest in some air-purifying plants, such as Devil’s Ivy or pothos which is easy to maintain and removes airborne toxins such as xylene, benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
Install a ventilation system with HEPA filters and change your filters every 3 months to ensure the highest quality of air.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms bi-annually, we recommend when you change your clocks for daylight savings, change your batteries in your alarms.
At Optimum Climates, we care about your health and the health of your home. Call us today for a consultation!