What Are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

March 17, 2021

The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes several indoor air pollutants, such as dust particles, pesticides, and excessive moisture. All these pollutants affect your health, causing dampness, stuffiness, odors, and your home’s structural state. Fortunately, you can purify your indoor air from these pollutants through proper ventilation, installing air filters, or using activated charcoal. These are some of the most common indoor air pollutants that threaten the air quality in your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Furnishings, such as carpets and furniture, cooking processes, pesticides, and building materials can emit VOCs to your indoor air. VOCs can have short and prolonged effects on your body when exposed for a long time. You might suffer eye and nose irritation, liver and kidney damage, and headaches when exposed to VOCs indoors. An effective way of getting rid of this indoor air contaminant is by increasing ventilation to your house and following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Excess Moisture

Moisture is often overlooked as an indoor air pollutant, but it can be harmful. Mildew and dust mites thrive when moisture settles on surfaces in your home. Dust mites and mildew trigger allergic reactions like asthma. Also, high moisture levels indoors can be uncomfortable. Some sources of excess moisture indoors may include basement leaks, plumbing leaks, and excess rain.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is emitted from the combustion of fuels at home. The odorless gas reduces oxygen levels in your body. The effects of this indoor air pollutant include headaches, nausea, fast heart rate and dizziness. Unfortunately, high levels of carbon monoxide indoors can cause death. You can get rid of this common indoor air pollutant through proper ventilation and by installing electrical appliances like an air filter.

Tobacco Smoke

Smoking emits harmful particles and gases that can contaminate your indoor air. Tobacco is detrimental to both smokers and non-smokers. You can protect your home from this common indoor air quality by avoiding smoking indoors or guiding your guests where they can smoke. Air filters can also purify tobacco smoke indoors.

You need professional help to manage these indoor air pollutants. You can count on our experts to improve your indoor air quality and increase your home’s comfort. You can also come to us for system inspections, solar solutions as well as heating and cooling services. To learn more about indoor air contaminants in your Show Low home, contact Rim Country Mechanical, Inc. today.