Is Poor Indoor Air Quality Making You Sick?
In Wichita, the weather is unpredictable and high winds often bring smoke, pollen, mold spores, and other pollutants. We can’t control the quality of the air outside, but we can make adjustments to improve the air inside. Poor indoor air quality can wreak havoc on lungs, sinus tissue, and more. How does bad indoor air quality affect your health, and what can be done to prevent it?
Common Side Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
Symptoms of bad indoor air quality mimic those you would experience if you had a cold. Short-term symptoms include:
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Itchy red eyes
- Shortness of breath
In some instances, an asthma attack may result from pollutants in the air. Living in a house with inferior air quality for extended periods of time can cause persistent headaches, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and colds that never seem to fade.
What Causes Bad Indoor Air Quality?
Pollutants are the villain when it comes to poor air quality. Common pollutants include:
- Fumes
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Pet fur
- Gases from appliances
These pollutants cause your HVAC system to work harder, putting additional stress on the system which can increase energy costs.
Preventing Bad Indoor Air Quality
- Improve ventilation: Increasing ventilation will help circulate the unwelcome agents out, but outdoor air is also fraught with pollutants. Compromise by using a trickle ventilation system using a 10-inch screen with multiple filters.
- Turn on the A/C: Most pollutants are water soluble. The air conditioning system will remove water from the atmosphere and ultimately, the pollutants bound to the water.
- Choose the right filter: Use a High-Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filter to sift out many small pollutants that would otherwise remain unfiltered
For more expert advice about air quality and other heating, cooling, or plumbing issues, please contact us online or by phone at 316-265-7831. Serving Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding area since 1996.