In today’s fast-paced world, staying healthy can be tricky. In generations of the past, when people wanted to live healthy lifestyles, they’d try to exercise more while eating more healthy foods.
The world, however, is a lot different than it was when our parents were growing up. Today, in addition to exercise and diet, people attempting to live healthy lifestyles are starting to think about the air they are breathing, particularly the air they breathe inside, and for good reason: More and more studies are showing the air in our homes is far more polluted than the air outside of them. Even in the biggest most industrialized cities in the United States (where most people picture the air being filled with smog), this is still the case.
Why is Indoor Air Quality So Important in My Springboro Area Home?
To make matters worse, experts estimate Americans spend roughly 90 percent of their time inside, making household air pollution an even bigger risk than outdoor air pollution.
As such, Indoor Air Quality has a major impact on our well being, health, energy levels, mood, and brain function. Experts at the EPA report the air in our homes and workplaces can be up to anywhere from two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. In fact, in the most severe cases, it can be up to 100 times worse.
This doesn’t resonate with us at first because we usually think of pollution as outside because of smoke and smog. However, it starts making sense when we consider how tightly insulated our homes are made to keep energy costs down and hold heated or cooled air inside. Because of this, air pollution has no place to go. Outdoors, in the big open spaces, the earth has a variety of ways of cleaning the air — the wind and the trees being only two. In the enclosed spaces of a home, however, without outdoor air being pulled in to circulate the air, indoor air pollution is a problem.
Health Effects Of Indoor Air Pollution
Short-term health effects can surface not long after a single, or multiple, being exposed to some sort of household pollutant. Those effects could be irritation of the eyes, throat, nose, and skin. Or, you might experience headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
In severe cases, health officials say, long-term exposure to household air pollution could cause heart disease, respiratory illness and even cancer. Health experts say in extreme cases this can even be fatal.
With indoor air having more significant health implications than outdoor air, we at Springboro Heating & Cooling suggest certain measures homeowners can take to ensure their health and the health of their family members.
Although we will explore this more in this four-part series, these measures include having the air in their home tested, and if necessary, upgrading their air filtration system, increasing ventilation, as well as identifying and eliminating sources of household air pollution.
WE CARE ABOUT YOUR COMFORT, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Our team at Springboro Heating & Cooling care about your home comfort levels. More importantly, however, we care about your health and safety. Because household air pollution has such an impact on your health, well being, and energy levels, we hope you find this information helpful. If you’re interested in any of the services and products we offer, or if you’d like to know more, give us a call at 937-600-6834, or click here to schedule an appointment now.
Indoor Air Quality 101: Part 2
