March 14, 2024

Indoor vs. Outdoor Air Quality

When we think about air quality, we often picture smog-filled city streets or industrial areas. However, the quality of the air we breathe indoors can have a significant impact on our health and well-being. Understanding the differences between indoor and outdoor air quality is essential for creating a healthy living environment. Outdoor Air Quality Outdoor air quality refers to the cleanliness of the air in the environment outside of buildings and structures. It is influenced by various factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and natural sources such as pollen and dust. Pollutants like particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide can pose serious health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems. Government agencies and environmental organizations often monitor outdoor air quality using air quality indexes (AQI) to provide information on pollutant levels and associated health risks. While outdoor air quality can vary depending on location and weather conditions, exposure to pollutants can be reduced by limiting outdoor activities during peak pollution hours and using air filtration systems indoors. Indoor Air Quality Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the cleanliness of the air inside buildings and structures, including homes, offices, schools, and other indoor environments. While...

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August 15, 2023

The 4 Major Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollution is a major concern in many homes and buildings due to its health risks. For this reason, it’s important to know what the four major indoor air pollutants are. Here is a breakdown of the most common indoor air pollutants that affect your home’s indoor air quality, and their sources: 1. Excess Moisture Poor ventilation, plumbing leaks, or high humidity can cause excess moisture. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause a variety of health problems. It can also cause structural damage to the building. To protect indoor air quality, it is important to ventilate the area and keep humidity levels in check properly. 2. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) VOCs are chemicals emitted from various sources, including paints, solvents, furniture, and cleaning products. They can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and other health problems. Proper ventilation can help reduce the presence of VOCs in the air. These chemicals should also be used cautiously, and proper disposing methods should be implemented. 3. Particulate Matter Particulate matter comprises tiny particles that can be inhaled and cause health problems. These particles come from various sources such as dust, pet dander, and smoke....

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March 19, 2021

What Are Indoor Air Quality Monitors?

Life can’t exist without air. That’s why humans take an average of 20,000 breaths a day. Whether you’re awake or asleep, you depend on fresh and clean air to keep you healthy in your Granite City home. Unfortunately, the air in many homes is anything but fresh or clean. That’s because indoor air is commonly filled with countless visible contaminants, many of which have the potential to make you and your family very sick. To help overcome this problem, recommends utilizing indoor air quality monitors to find these hidden contaminants and remove them from your home for good. Cool Science The science behind indoor air quality monitors is truly fascinating. Most monitors utilize electrochemical or optical sensors to detect the concentration of various contaminants. An electrochemical sensor, for example, uses an electrode surrounded by a liquid that is known to react with certain contaminants. Based on the frequency of the reaction, the sensor can determine if a certain contaminant is at dangerous levels in your Madison County home. A Monitor for Every Contaminant Some common contaminants in your home might include carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, lead, mold, radon, and more. For some contaminants, such as carbon monoxide and radon,...

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January 10, 2021

Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important?

Air quality is a measure of airborne pollutants that are known to have bad effects on human health. Concerning the idea of air quality, most people associate it with greenhouse gas emissions from cars, coal-powered power plants, and factories. When it comes to personal health and overall wellness, indoor air quality is much more important than its outdoor counterpart. Indoor Air Quality Unequally Affects These Populations According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality doesn’t affect everyone equally. It goes without saying that people who exercise frequently, eat a well-balanced diet, and have no chronic health conditions are generally more impervious to pathogens and pollutants. Even if they’re healthy, eat well, and exercise often, low-income households, minorities, indigenous peoples, senior citizens, and children deal with more problems from indoor air quality. The EPA has peer-reviewed many studies indicate that these populations are more vulnerable and more frequently exposed to radon, mold, secondhand smoke, and formaldehyde, all of which hurt indoor air quality. Making steps to control your home’s air quality can reduce overall health problems for these populations. Pollutants Frequently Trigger Asthma and Allergies Tens of millions of Americans suffer from asthma and allergies. People with these conditions...

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January 7, 2020

Indoor Air Quality Tips For Homes With Pets

Many of us have family members that are pets. While you love your pet, there are times when the fur or feathers of our best animal friends wreak havoc with the air quality in our home. For some people this may be simply an annoying aspect of pet ownership and one that they are willing to put up with. For family members with a pet allergy, the problem may develop into something more serious. You’re Allergic to the Dander and Not your Dog or Cat What is pet dander? Dander is best described as tiny bits of skin that cling to fur and feathers. These microscopic particles float in the air of your home. For people with allergies, this can result in stuffy noses, runny eyes, and other respiratory symptoms. Filter the Air in your Home to Remove Pet Dander While you can vacuum and wipe down surfaces, the real task is to cleanse the air. To achieve this, it’s best to have an air purification system installed to improve air quality. The installation of a HEPA filter can filter out pet dander and remove existing pet odors too. Adding a HEPA filter to your HVAC system creates healthier air...

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July 17, 2019

Importance of Maintaining Good Indoor Air Quality During the Summer

Most people spend a significant amount of time indoors during the summer season to escape the high temperatures outside. Although the interior setting may offer comfort, it can also expose residents to poor air quality. Between the various contaminants and pollutants, it can be challenging to breathe ease while spending time inside. Here are a few of the top reasons it’s crucial to maintain your indoor air quality in the summer. 1. Avoid Allergies The summer season is often allergy season, as pollen is active in the environment. Outside air can get into buildings, creating an uncomfortable situation for allergy sufferers. With clean air in the building, it can help you to avoid sneezing, wheezing, and an increase in mucus production. You’ll feel more like yourself and prevent reactions to common allergens by replacing the air filter on your air conditioner and keeping the windows closed. 2. Maintain a Cleaner Interior Setting The air quality in the home has a significant impact on the cleanliness of the interior setting. If dust and particles are present in the air and are circulating, then it will cause different surfaces in the building to become dirtier, which will require cleaning more. Cleaner air...

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May 22, 2019

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Indoor air quality matters because many people spend most of their time indoors. The air inside your home may be more harmful to your health than the air outside. Three of the main reasons you should maintain great indoor air quality include improving your health, avoiding triggering allergies, and making cleaning easier. Improves Your Health Indoor air pollutants can cause eye irritation, headaches, and fatigue. They may be the reason why you or someone in your family hasn’t been feeling well or why you often don’t feel well. Some types of indoor pollutants cause cancer and other long-term health problems. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide are two examples of hazardous indoor pollutants. Fuel-burning appliances that don’t have proper ventilation can contaminate your house with carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that’s difficult to detect without technology, and inhaling too much of it is deadly. Avoids Triggering Allergies Poor air quality can trigger allergies because allergens build up inside the home where they can’t easily escape. We recommend that anyone who has allergies use an air purifier to eliminate some of these allergens from his or her indoor air. Staying on top of changing your HVAC...

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May 30, 2018

How Do I Improve My Air Quality?

Considering that many of us spend some quality amount of time at home, we often overlook the quality of the air we inhale. We tend to think that pollution only occurs outside: ozone, gases from industries, smog from cars or burning substances. The quality of the air we breathe can make us vulnerable to health conditions such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. Did you know that air conditioners are among the best ventilators? Windows, doors and HVAC systems greatly improve air quality. Below are some of the things to do to improve on air quality with an HVAC system: 1. Cleaning the System Vacuum all your vents to get rid of debris, dander, and allergens. Clean up any dust that might be accumulating too close to the system, which can pose a threat to airflow. You can also clean the system to remove more debris by spraying it down using a garden hose. This kind of cleaning is mainly seasonal and therefore you should have your ductwork done by a professional HVAC company. 2. Proper Ventilation This is the main and most efficient way of improving air quality in your home. Opening doors and windows, running an air...

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