When we speak about polluted air, the first things to cross your mind are large trucks puffing out grey exhaust and big factories expelling dark, smelly clouds. But, do you know that pollution inside your home is worse than this? According to EPA, some indoor air contaminants can be 100 times greater compared to outdoor pollutants, making poor indoor air quality as one of the top causes of health-related problems today. So, what is in the air you breathe inside your Dallas, TX home? Here are the most common indoor air pollutants:
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs come from paints, glue, cleaning products, hairsprays, home printers, upholstery, fabrics, permanent markers, etc. While reducing the use of these products could help, continuous exposure to chemicals can still affect your health over time. The concentration of these chemicals is often 10 times higher indoors than outdoors.
Mold
Molds are types of fungi that thrive both indoor and outdoor, and some of them are extremely dangerous. Mold can trigger allergies, and some symptoms may include throat and eye irritation, nasal stuffiness, wheezing or coughing, skin irritation, and headache. Severe reactions may lead to breathing problems and fever.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of minerals that are found all over the world and was declared by the EPA in 1971 as hazardous air pollutant. Continuous exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis (an inflammatory lung condition that causes permanent lung damage, shortness of breath, tightness in your chest, and persistent dry cough), and other lung problems.
Carbon Monoxide
CO is an odorless, invisible gas produced by fossil fuels. Continuous exposure to CO gas may cause you to experience headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, fast heart rate, and confusion. It even prevents your body from using the right amount of oxygen.
Radon
Like CO, radon is also an odorless gas that could harm your breathing space. Radon is found in low levels, and it is naturally produced when the uranium in the Earth breaks down. Exposure to high radon gas level can increase your chance of having lung cancer.
Need Indoor Air Solutions in Your Dallas, TX Home?
According to EPA, the effects of indoor pollution can be experienced immediately or several years later, and they could have short-term or long-term health effects. Prevent these pollutants from bothering you with high-quality indoor air quality solutions. Our experts at Kirk Air Conditioning & Heating offer complete indoor air solutions to ensure clean and healthy air in your Dallas, TX home. Call us for an appointment!