According to the EPA, the air in indoor spaces — homes, offices, public places like restaurants and hotels — can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoors. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to maintain indoor air quality. The first step to doing so is knowing where the pollutants come from. In today’s post, local AC repair and installation contractor EZ Air Conditioning and Heating takes a look at the most common types of indoor air pollutants.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are considered as one of the most common types of indoor air pollutants because they’re emitted by things found in every household: home cleaning products, building materials and personal care products, to name a few. VOCs are emitted through a process called off-gassing, and can occur over a long period of time. At high concentrations, VOCs can cause respiratory problems and damage to internal organs.
Tobacco Smoke
Environmental tobacco smoke, or ETS, is the smoke that comes from a cigarette, pipe or cigar, along with the smoke exhaled by the smoker (also referred to as secondhand smoke). We’re not going to discuss the effects of tobacco on the human lungs — there is extensive literature on the matter already available — but it is worth noting that one can help reduce indoor air pollution by limiting smoking in outdoor spaces. In addition to reducing lingering odors, it can also help keep AC service appointments few and far in between.
Formaldehyde
You’re probably familiar with formaldehyde as a preservative for biological specimens and cadavers. However, it is also used as a preservative for pressed wood products, from oriented strand board (OSB) to flat-packed furniture. While it is a form of VOC, it’s worth mentioning because it’s present in nearly every home, and it often takes before off-gassing tapers down to a relatively safe level.
Biological Agents
Biological pollutants are particles that are emitted by the house’s occupants (saliva, viruses, dander), pests (cockroaches, dust mites) and other organisms (mold, mildew, pollen). Some can trigger allergic reactions, while others can release disease-causing toxins.
Tips on Maintaining Indoor Air Quality
As a homeowner, there are a few things that you can do to maintain indoor air quality. One is to regularly open your windows, at least 15 minutes every day. This will flush out indoor air pollutants, as well as odors and smoke. Running an air purifier or scrubber is another way to reduce the level of indoor air pollutants, and is ideal for spaces where ventilation is not available. Similarly, replacing your HVAC air filters regularly will also help prevent indoor air pollutants from recirculating in your home.
If you need expert help in maintaining indoor air quality, give our team at EZ Air Conditioning and Heating a call at (210) 429-9186. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We also offer AC installation services.
