Health doesn’t depend on lifestyle alone but also relies on the quality of the air we breathe. Whether you spend most of your time indoors or outdoors, the presence of chemicals and particles in the air around you will greatly affect your health.
Indoor Air Quality and Health
Indoor air quality refers to the quality of the air inside your home. Air is composed of many elements and particles including pollutants. Common pollutants include chemical emissions, mold spores, animal allergens, radon, combustion gasses, smoke, and pesticides. Repeated exposure to large amounts of air pollutants can lead to numerous health problems.
Acute Health Effects
Immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depend on several factors like age and pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll notice these symptoms after a single or repeated exposure to a pollutant, but eventually feel better after leaving the affected area.
Symptoms of immediate or acute health effects can include:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Allergic skin reaction
- Wheezing
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Nosebleed
- Headaches
- Coughing and sneezing
These effects are usually temporary and treatable. However, symptoms of some pre-existing medical issues can be aggravated by an inadequate supply of fresh air, or from the temperature and humidity conditions prevalent indoors.
Chronic Health Effects
Other health effects may show up after persistent exposure to these pollutants. These effects can include respiratory, heart conditions, and cancer. These conditions can worsen over time and can be a permanent burden on an individual.
Health Effects on the Respiratory System
It is our respiratory system which takes much of the pollutants present in the air. Acquiring a respiratory disease can be a chronic health condition. You’ll get these following diseases from the polluted indoor air:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Allergies
People with asthma or COPD will notice that they have more mucous, and frequent wheezing and cough.
Health Effects on Heart
Indoor pollutants also provoke your heart’s health. It’s because of the toxic chemical present in it which is cancerous and fatal. Here are the heart diseases associated with polluted indoor air:
- Light-headedness
- Chest pain or angina
- Arrhythmia
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
- Increased shortness of breath and
- Heart failure
People with diabetes are also at risk because they are more likely to have an existing heart condition already.
Mold-Related Health Issues
Health problems caused by molds are acute and occur immediately after a few days’ exposure. Health problems associated with exposure to molds include:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Headache
- Short-term memory loss
Some pollutants and bacteria found mainly indoors are related to specific risks, such as asbestosis and Legionnaires’ disease.
Who Is At Risk?
People who are mostly at risk of indoor air pollutants are the children, the elderly, those with existing medical conditions, people who are active outdoors and residents of busy roadways and commercial industries.
What to Do When Suffering from Air Quality Health Problems
If you’re suffering from health problems caused by air pollutants, it’s vital to reduce your intake of these harmful chemical emissions. If it is due to poor indoor air quality at your workplace, discuss your concerns with your supervisor or health representative.
Track the occurrence time of these symptoms and time they go away. It will help your healthcare provider determine if your symptoms are related to air quality problems or another health issue.
If you value your health, you should consider improving your indoor air quality. Explore our cleaning and air quality improvement products from only the best in the business. Check out our line-up of superior products to help keep your air clean and safe.
Keep your family safe in your own home. Contact the professionals at Christian Heating and Air Conditioning to ensure you are always breathing clean air!
