What Is IAQ, And How Can You Improve It?

28 June 2018
 Categories: , Blog

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IAQ stands for indoor air quality, and this refers to the quality of the air that is within and near buildings. The quality of the air, in this case, is in reference to the health and comfort of the people who occupy the buildings. The quality of air found indoors has declined noticeably in recent years, and this has resulted in an increase in respiratory diseases, heart disease, and other problems.

In order to safeguard the indoor air quality in your building, it's important to know what the common pollutants are and how to keep them at bay.

Substances that Lower IAQ

There are many substances that can lower the quality of air inside your home. However, some show up more often than others. These include:

  • Asbestos: Asbestos was a commonly used material until a few years ago. Unfortunately, there are still many old homes that have paintings and materials that contain asbestos.

  • Tobacco smoke: Whether someone inside the house is a smoker or it's a neighbor, this smoke can end up inside your home.

  • Carbon monoxide: Fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters are some of the sources of this poisonous gas inside your home.

  • Living matter: Mold, dust mites, and mildew can easily find their way into your home.

  • Home-based products: Paints, cleaning products, etc.

Effects of Low Indoor Air Quality

Low indoor air quality can have a number of side effects. Some of these side effects are mild, while others can be deadly. These include:

  • Lung cancer: This can be caused by cigarette smoke and asbestos in the air you breathe.

  • Respiratory diseases: These are usually caused by common allergens, such as pollen and dust mites.

  • Organ damage: Chemicals in paints, cleaning agents, and lead are some of the substances that can cause damage to organs, such as the kidney and the brain.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are several ways that you can improve the quality of the air in your home. These include:

  • Opening your windows: Increased circulation lowers the concentration of pollutants in the home.

  • Keep your home clean: Clean your house regularly and take measures to keep people from bringing dirt into the house.

  • HVAC maintenace: Hire professional air conditioning services to ensure your AC is functioning properly.

  • Monitor the indoor air quality. There are devices that can do this so you know when to open a window.

  • House plants: Have an air filtering plant inside your house