Symptoms of Bad Air Quality in Your Home

Symptoms of Bad Air Quality in Your Home

 

Poor air quality

Allergies aside, we're primarily focused on managing outdoor air quality issues. However, it's also important to remember that many of the same toxic chemicals in our outdoor environment can also affect us at home. That's why you may want to consider changing your filters more frequently if you spend a lot of time in your home.


Whether you work in a commercial building or your private living space, you are likely exposed to air quality that is below par. As technology advances and we get more advanced devices, more airborne particles will be released into the air. 


Also, more people are getting various health problems due to poor indoor air quality. So what can we do? There are steps to ensure you have the best indoor air quality possible in your home or office. But first, let's take a quick look at the definition of indoor air quality.

What is Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is the concentration of gases, airborne particles, and chemicals in the air inside your home. It's important to know that air quality in your home can be worse than outdoor air quality, especially if you have allergies or asthma. In addition, indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air by mold, cigarette smoke, and carbon monoxide.


Indoor air quality has three main components: temperature, humidity, and ventilation. You can enhance the air quality in your home or office by ensuring that your home's temperature and humidity levels are comfortable for you and your family. You can also improve it by opening windows when it's warm enough, so fresh air comes into your home.


Indoor air can carry more toxins than outdoor air because there are more sources of pollution indoors than outdoors. For example, if you live with many people in one house or office building, those people could be bringing in outdoor allergens that can get trapped inside. 


Also, if pets are living in your home or an office building, they can shed dander (dead skin cells) that will get trapped in carpets and furniture cushions. This dander can cause an allergic reaction for some people who breathe it in.


How is Indoor Air Quality Measured?


Indoor air quality is measured in a few ways.


The first uses a thermometer and hygrometer, which measure temperature and humidity. By measuring these two things, you can get a rough idea of how much moisture is in your home's air. If it's too high, that could mean mold or mildew growth, which is terrible for your health.


Another way to assess indoor air quality is by taking samples from different areas in your home and testing them for pollutants like mold spores or pollen grains. 


This method can be beneficial if you're worried about allergic reactions to something specific (like dust mites). Still, it doesn't give any information about how much pollution there is in general—just what kind of pollutants are present.


The last method involves using an air purifier or air filter to remove harmful particles from the air before they reach your lungs or other sensitive tissues. 


An air purifier is excellent for allergies or asthma—it will help remove allergens from the air before they cause trouble. But it doesn't tell you anything about what might be causing allergies or asthma in the first place (such as indoor pollution).


Even though the Environmental Protection Agency protects people from bad air quality, other agencies like the ISO have created standards for assessing indoor air quality. This organization measures indoor air pollution using temperature, humidity, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide levels. 


These measurements are taken regularly to ensure that buildings maintain the right environment for people to live in or work in safely without causing harm to their health or safety due to poor ventilation systems. Or due to other issues related to poor maintenance practices by management staff members who oversee these buildings regularly (ISO).


Factors That Can Affect Indoor Air Quality

Poor air quality causing allergies


The quality of air in your indoor environment is essential for your health. Here are some factors that can affect indoor air quality.

Dust


Dust can be a significant cause of indoor air quality problems. If dust is not removed, it can build up and make it harder for your home to breathe. Dust particles are microscopic, but they can contain chemicals, metals, and other substances that may be harmful to your health. They can also hold moisture that could lead to mold growth.


Dust comprises many different things, including pollen, skin cells, hair, and dander from pets. It is created by everyday activities such as cooking or cleaning. In addition to dust being a significant cause of allergies, it can also lead to respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.


If you have hypersensitivity or asthma, you should try to keep the dust in your home down by using filters on your air ducts or replacing them with high-efficiency filters. You should also clean regularly with damp cloths instead of dry ones because this will remove more dust from the air without having to shake out all the water first.

Allergens

Allergens are one of the most significant factors affecting indoor air quality. Allergens are pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. These allergens can be found in the air we breathe and can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them.

Allergens can affect indoor air quality by causing people to have allergic reactions when they breathe them in. These reactions include sneezing and coughing, itchy eyes or nose, headaches, stuffy noses, asthma attacks, and other breathing problems.

You can find allergens anywhere in your home, including carpets, upholstery, blankets and pillows, stuffed animals, mattresses and box springs, window treatments, and blinds.

If you suffer allergic symptoms to any of these things, it's essential to reduce exposure as much as possible. The best way to reduce the presence of allergens in your house is by regularly cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. It will help reduce the number of dust mites brought into your home by vacuuming them up instead of just moving them around. 

Always make sure to use anti-allergen bedding, such as; hypoallergenic pillows or mattress covers, to try and limit your exposure while sleeping at night. At night, it's difficult for many people with allergies because they don't have complete control over where they sleep every night.

Pollutants

Air pollution is a big problem, and indoor air quality is no exception. If you're concerned about the air quality in your home, indoor pollutants are one of the several things that can affect it. Pollutants are harmful, unwanted substances that can affect indoor air quality. Common pollutants include:


Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a gas in many consumer products like adhesives, paints, carpets, and plywood. Formaldehyde is also utilized as a preservative for some wood and paper products. However, formaldehyde can cause nasal inflammation and irritation when inhaled over long periods.


Radon: Radon is an innate radioactive gas emitted from decaying uranium in rock formations deep underground (sometimes called "radon daughters"). Radon is generally accepted to be a leading cause of lung cancer among smokers, but it can also cause cancer in non-smokers who breathe it regularly over many years.


Pesticides: Pesticides are chemicals used to kill insects or plants that destroy crops or spread disease. Many pesticides have been banned because they were found dangerous to people's health when inhaled over long periods or ingested through food or water.

Smoke

The quality of air in your indoor environment can be affected by many factors. Some of these factors are easy to change, while others are more difficult to control. 

Smoke is a common source of indoor air pollution. It can come from cigarettes or other tobacco products and burning wood stove fires and fireplaces. Smoking within your home or office can lead to health problems like heart disease and lung cancer.

The best way to reduce smoke levels in your home is by avoiding smoking altogether. However, if you must smoke, try using an electric cigarette instead of a traditional one that burns tobacco leaves – this will reduce the amount of smoke produced by your habit. 

If you use wood stoves or fireplaces for heat inside your home or office, ensure they're adequately ventilated so that smoke does not build up inside walls near these appliances.

Also, consider using an electric heater instead of a traditional one if possible so there is less need for ventilation in these areas (and therefore less chance that ventilation systems will malfunction). 

Pet Dander


Pets have a lot of benefits. They provide companionship, help us stay active, and are just plain adorable. But sometimes, the things we love can be hazardous to our health. For example, did you know that pet dander can negatively affect indoor air quality?


What is pet dander? It's what happens when your furry friend sheds its fur. That might not seem like a big deal. Still, it's one of the main contributors to allergies in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Pet dander can also make the symptoms of asthma worse in humans.


Pet dander is a prevalent source of allergens that affect indoor air quality. It's a protein that comes from the skin and saliva of pets, like dogs and cats. You can find it in your house by looking for pet hair (which is small enough to float around) or maybe even on your couch or upholstered furniture.


Pet dander becomes airborne when your pet sheds its hair or licks itself. This dander can then be spread throughout your home by pets walking on carpets, stairs, or other surfaces you touch daily.


If you have allergies, you may notice symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes when you're around your pets. If this happens to you, consider limiting the time spent with your pets or having them groomed regularly so that their fur doesn't shed everywhere in the house.

Chemicals/VOCs


Chemicals and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) significantly contribute to poor indoor air quality. Chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene can be found in cleaning products, paints and paint strippers, adhesives, furniture polishes and waxes, carpeting, and flooring sealers.


Chemicals and VOCs can be found in many products that you use every day, such as cleaners and paints. They can also be found in materials like carpeting or wood flooring. Unfortunately, these chemicals can cause health problems like allergies or asthma if they are released into the air over time.


Many of these products emit VOCs into the air when used or left to sit for long periods. These chemicals can irritate the eyes and respiratory system if you breathe them in too often or too high of a concentration.


Symptoms of Bad Air Quality In The Home

Improve air quality at home

 

Every day, we're breathing in tons of contaminants and pollutants. These can irritate the respiratory tract, such as allergic reactions, coughing, and more severe health problems. Often, people tend to ignore this problem until it manifests into a severe illness. Here are symptoms that'll notify you home has bad indoor air quality:


Breathing Issues


Poor air quality causes breathing difficulties, including asthma, lung disease, and allergies. In addition, it is the top cause of missed school days for children and adolescents. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that 2 million people are hospitalized for asthma each year.


If you have asthma or allergies, breathing in bad air quality can worsen your symptoms. Pollutants in the air can trigger asthma attacks and allergy symptoms.


If you have asthma, you may feel shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, or wheezing. You might also experience itchy skin or hives if you are allergic to something in the air. If you have allergies, your eyes might water, and you may sneeze or develop a runny nose.


Cough & Congestion


The symptoms of bad air quality can be subtle and hard to spot. If you're experiencing a cough or congestion, it could be a sign that your indoor air quality is below standard.


If you're experiencing coughing fits and congestion, it could be a sign that there's something wrong with the air quality in your home. Over time, excessive dust and allergens can irritate your lungs and make them more sensitive. That makes it easier to catch a cold or develop allergies.


Coughing is usually caused by irritation in the lungs. This irritation can be caused by allergens, irritants, or pollutants in the air. The pollutants in your home may include dust mites, pet dander, fungi, mildew spores, tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke), carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).


See your doctor if you're experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath. But if you're just coughing and sneezing a lot, it's possible that poor indoor air quality is to blame.


Fatigue


Air pollution is a severe problem, but did you know that it can make you feel tired? It may be because air pollution can cause inflammation and irritation of the airways in your lungs, which makes it harder to breathe. In addition, when you breathe in polluted air, it irritates the lining of your nose, throat, and lungs. 


In addition, when the mucus membranes are irritated by air pollutants, they produce more mucus than usual. This irritation causes swelling (inflammation), which leads to fluid buildup in your lungs. This fluid buildup makes it harder for oxygen to get into your bloodstream. The result is that you will feel tired and short of breath. 


The mucus traps more dust particles from the air, which makes it harder for them to get out of your body through coughing or blowing your nose.


If you feel more tired than usual, check your indoor air quality. You should also note that fatigue can be a symptom of many other health problems, so you must check with your doctor if you feel tired.


Headaches


A headache is another common symptom of bad air quality. It is usually caused by poor ventilation and insufficient air circulation. You may have a headache if your home has high levels of carbon dioxide, or CO2, or particulates like dust or mold spores in the air.


If you suffer from headaches, they could indicate poor air quality. It is especially true if the headaches occur during or after being in your home. The most common cause of headaches is allergy-related, but it's also possible that other factors are contributing to the problem. If allergies are not a factor, consider these other possibilities:


Airborne irritants such as mold, pollen, and dust mites can cause sinus congestion, irritation, and inflammation in the nasal passages. In addition, it can lead to headaches, nasal stuffiness, and other symptoms of allergies.


Indoor air pollution from chemicals and other contaminants in your home may be causing your headaches.


Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition that occurs when people living or working in a building experience health problems that any known illness or infection cannot explain. SBS may be caused by poor ventilation, high humidity levels, or poor air quality from indoor sources, such as mold growth in the walls or ceiling tiles.

Dizziness


Dizziness is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of bad air quality. When you are under the weather, it's normal to feel lightheaded and dizzy. It is because your body is having a difficult time getting enough oxygen.


When you breathe in polluted air, your lungs have more difficulty getting oxygen into your blood. As a result, it causes your heart to beat faster and broader, which leads to dizziness. You may experience headaches or chest pain as well.


If you're feeling dizzy, it's essential to figure out what's making you feel that way. Dizziness is a common symptom of bad air quality. However, it can also be caused by other things, like a lack of sleep, dehydration, or even an ear infection.


Dry Skin


Dry skin is often related to a lack of moisture in the air. Humidity levels are typically higher in the summer and lower in the winter. However, dry skin can also result from an indoor heater or dryer vent that does not work correctly or leaks hot air outside. It can cause dry skin even during cooler months.


Dry skin is one of the prevalent symptoms of poor indoor air quality. You may have bad indoor air quality if you're experiencing dry, itchy skin or have noticed scaling or flaking on your arms or legs. 


It is because dry skin is often caused by excessive moisture loss from your body through evaporation. When this happens indoors, it leads to dryness which can be uncomfortable and even painful.


Dry air can cause the skin to feel tight, itchy, and flaky. The best way to prevent dry skin is to use a humidifier in the home. Doing this will help add moisture back into the air.


Buildup of Dust


If you have a house full of dust, it's probably not because you don't clean regularly. Instead, dust is made up mostly of dead skin cells and other particles that are too small to see with the naked eye. 


A dusty room or house indicates that the air is not circulated properly, which can lead to issues such as allergies and asthma. Dust can also be caused by wet air, leading to mold growth.


Modern homes are built with tight seals that keep out moisture but also prevent air from circulating freely. It causes a buildup of dust that is unhealthy for everyone in the house. The resulting elements of dust buildup could be dust mites. 


Dust mites thrive off the dead skin cells of humans and other animals (including pets). They prefer warm temperatures and humidity above 70 percent — so they love beds, couches, and spots where people spend lots of time. 


The best method to control dust mites is to vacuum often (particularly around the mattress) and wash sheets once a week in hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit or above). You can also buy unique covers for mattresses, box springs, and pillows that contain materials that kill dust mites when heated in an oven or washed in hot water.


Back-to-Back Illness


Bad home air quality symptoms are not always easy to detect. As a result, people have no idea that their homes have poor indoor air quality until experts come in and test it. 


However, if you've noticed a lot of back-to-back illnesses or your family has been sick more often than usual, then it could be time to investigate what's going on with your home's air quality.


Pollutants in the air can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. If you and your family are constantly falling sick, it's worth checking to see if the air in your home is contaminated. If you've had a history of allergies or asthma, consider investing in an air purifier to improve your quality of life.


The health effects of poor indoor air quality go beyond physical symptoms — it can also hurt your mood and well-being. Studies have shown that exposure to poor indoor air quality can lead to increased stress levels, depression, and anxiety. 


Bad Odors


Bad odors are a very noticeable sign of poor air quality in the home. The most common cause of this is moisture. If you notice a foul odor coming from your vents, it's probably because you leak your ductwork or insulation. Also, the smell may become more pungent when you run your heater or air conditioning units.


If you're experiencing foul odors in your home, here are some things to look for:


Musty or moldy smells – This can be caused by excessive moisture around your air conditioners, heaters, or ventilators and may point towards a leak somewhere in the HVAC system. If left unchecked, this can lead to mold growth as well.


Rotten egg smell – A rotten egg smell could indicate a gas leak from one of your appliances or other sources, such as gas lines running through your home. If you suspect this might cause your foul odors, contact a professional to examine your air conditioning, heating, and ventilation.


Poor ventilation - When you don't open windows or doors, it creates a buildup of stale air. This stale air can harbor mold and mildew, which can cause a musty smell.


Bacteria, viruses, and molds grow in warm and moist environments. For example, when there are gaps in the foundation or plumbing leaks, moisture will collect inside your walls and cause these organisms to grow. It is called "black mold" growth and can produce dangerous toxins that can make you sick if you're constantly exposed to them.


Dirty furnace filters can also create foul odors in your home because they aren't allowing proper airflow through your system. Your vents should be cleaned at least twice per year to keep them from collecting dust, dirt, and other debris that may contain mold spores or bacteria from the outdoors


  • Paint cans left open.
  • Paint strippers left open.
  • Spray paint cans left open or uncapped.

Allergies


Allergies are the most common reason for people to consider air purifiers. The problem is that most people don't realize they have allergies until they get sick, so it's essential to be proactive. Allergy symptoms can range from sneezing and running nose to itching eyes, throat irritation, and asthma attacks.


If you encounter any of these symptoms constantly, you may be having an allergic reaction to something in your home. In addition to dust mites and pollen, many other things can trigger allergies, including mold spores, pet dander, secondhand smoke, cooking odors, and mildew.


Difficulty Sleeping


The most common reason people have difficulty sleeping is allergies or asthma. So if you are having trouble breathing during the night, it could be due to an allergy or asthma. If you're having trouble sleeping, you need to look at the air quality in your home.


Difficulty sleeping can be caused by several factors, including dust mites, mold spores, or other allergens. If you suddenly develop insomnia or wake up feeling tired even after a whole night's sleep, it may be time to check the quality of your indoor air.


Poor sleep is tied to many serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. During sleep, our bodies repair themselves from any damage incurred during the day; if we don't get enough sleep, our bodies won't have enough time to repair themselves properly. 


Poor sleep may also lead to depression and other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Brain Fog


Brain fog is a condition that describes a feeling when the brain seems to be functioning at a lower level than usual. It means the person will have difficulty remembering, concentrating, and making decisions. If you notice that you feel slower and less sharp than expected, that signals poor air quality.


Brain fog is also associated with low oxygen levels and poor air quality. But, again, it is mainly because the body must use more energy to breathe when there isn't enough oxygen in the air.


The lack of oxygen can also make it difficult for people to think clearly and focus on tasks. Low oxygen levels can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue as well. 


Poor air quality can cause brain fog by irritating the linings of your nose and sinuses, which then causes inflammation. The inflammation then leads to swelling, which makes it harder for your sinuses to drain properly.


As a person ages, their brain begins to shrink, and they are more likely to experience brain fog. It is also common among people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or fibromyalgia. In addition, vitamin deficiencies can cause an individual to experience brain fog and certain medications. 


For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can cause similar symptoms as brain fog, but they do not last as long due to their short half-life in the body.


These symptoms are often referred to as shortness of breath or dyspnea — no wonder many people feel suffocating when they live in a poorly ventilated home.


How to Improve Air Quality


Indoor air quality is a concern for most people. Unfortunately, it's not just dust and pollen that you need to worry about, but also mold, bacteria, viruses, and more. The good news is that there are some easy ways to improve indoor air quality.


Maintain Ventilation


Maintaining ventilation is an essential step in improving air quality. Here are ways to make sure your home's ventilation system is working correctly:


Clean the vents: Ventilation systems rely on fans, filters, and ducts to move air throughout your house. Over time, these vent parts can become clogged with dust and dirt, leading to poor airflow and reduced efficiency. 


To keep your system running smoothly, cleaning the vents every few months might be helpful by vacuuming them with a hose attachment. If you do this regularly, the whole process will take less than half an hour!


Check for leaks: Even if you clean your vents every few months (or more often), there's no guarantee that they won't develop leaks over time—which means wasted energy costs and bad air quality in your home. 


Leaks may be hard to spot at first because they can hide behind walls or ceilings. However, if you think there might be a leaky spot somewhere in the system, try putting fluorescent dye into the furnace before turning it on again. Any leaks will glow brightly under UV light (if there's no glow, there isn't any leak).

Change Your Air Filter Regularly


Air filters capture particles and pollutants from the air, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet hair. These particles are then collected in the filter, preventing them from entering your lungs.


A dirty or clogged air filter will not work correctly, so it's essential to change your filter regularly. The duration between changing your filter varies based on how often you use your heating or cooling system. 


For example, if you use your heater or air conditioner daily for several hours, you should replace your filter every three months. However, a six-month interval is recommended if you do not use it very often or only turn it occasionally.


Most filters come with a sticker on them that indicates when they need replacing; however, if this sticker is not present, then check with a professional who knows how often you should change them based on usage patterns before making any decisions about whether or not yours needs replacing right away.


You should also change your filters if you have pets or smoke cigarettes in your home. If you don't change it regularly, dust will build up and clog the filter. This dust buildup can cause your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to and use more electricity than necessary.


Dust and Vacuum Regularly


One of the most productive ways you can improve air quality in your home is to vacuum regularly. Dust and dirt are significant sources of indoor air pollutants, so if you're not already vacuuming at least once a week, start there.


You should also dust your home regularly. Dust is a significant factor in poor indoor air quality, so if you have furniture that's particularly prone to collecting dust (like couches or chairs), dust them often and use high-quality microfiber cloths when cleaning up spills or messes.


If you have pets or children, it's imperative to dust regularly because pet hair and dander can cause anaphylaxis and asthma attacks in those who are sensitive.


Use Gentle Products


The air we breathe is not just an invisible gas but also a host of microbial contaminants that can cause serious health issues. These can include asthma, lung cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease. The best way to improve the air quality in your home or office is to use gentle products that help reduce the amount of dust and other pollutants.


Gentle products are made with less harsh chemicals and biological contaminants than conventional products and are more environmentally friendly. In addition, they are easier on your family's skin and work better in your washing machine or dishwasher because they don't leave a residue that can build up in your appliances over time.


The best products are those that help clean up the air you breathe while being gentle on it as well. It means they should be free of harsh chemicals like ammonia or bleach, which can damage your lungs and make you sick if they get into your system.


Using gentle products will not only help improve air quality, but it will also make life easier for you as well.


Avoid Products with a Fragrance


If you want to enhance the air quality in your home, one of the best things you can do is avoid fragrance products.


Fragrance is a chemical compound added to products to give them a pleasant smell. Unfortunately, fragrances are typically made from petroleum-based ingredients, which release carcinogens and other harmful chemicals into the air.


These chemicals react with other chemicals in the air to form harmful particulate matter. These particles are small enough to get into your lungs, where they can cause allergies or asthma. Beyond that, fragrances also affect your moods by altering hormone levels and affecting your sleep ability at night.


By using products that contain fragrance in your home, you are increasing your exposure to these harmful chemicals.


Installing a high-quality air purifier into your home ensures that your family breathes clean, healthy air daily. We hope this guide has provided you with enough information.

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