Common Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Your home is supposed to be a place where you can relax, but it’s hard to do that when you’re sneezing, coughing, and rubbing your eyes. Did you know that, according to the EDA, indoor air pollution is worse than outdoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution can wreak havoc on your health, but luckily, you can prevent it. Knowing the common causes of poor indoor air quality is the first step to purging your home of airborne contaminants, making it safe to breathe again.

Lead Paint and VOCs

You could have deteriorating and problematic lead paint on the walls if you’ve never painted your home. But if you last painted your home about a month ago, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, might still be lingering in the air.

Lead paint is harmless when intact, but if pieces flake off, lead particles become airborne. These particles can cause anything from mild headaches to severe joint and muscle pain when inhaled. If you suspect your home has lead paint, send in a paint sample for testing. If the test comes back positive, get in touch with a lead paint removal expert.

VOCs are what give paint its odor. VOCs smell good, but don’t smell them too much. Too much exposure to these compounds can result in headaches, nausea, skin irritation, and other symptoms.

Dirty HVAC

The next most common cause of poor indoor air quality is a dirty or obstructed HVAC system, which can spread airborne pollutants throughout your home. If you notice dust, pet hair, or other strange contaminants in or around your vents and registers, you might need to have the ductwork and other components of your HVAC system professionally cleaned.

Want to avoid future blockages? Learn about the most common causes of ductwork blockage and how to avoid them. You’d be surprised by the difference replacing the filters can make!

Cleaning Supplies

Nobody wants their home to look like a dump, but homeowners should exercise caution when using cleaning supplies. The chemicals in cleaning supplies can cause a variety of health problems, such as headaches and trouble breathing.

To reduce the amount of harmful fumes you breathe in, you can open a door or window or turn on an exhaust fan when cleaning. You can also consider investing in all-natural cleaning products instead of ones that contain harsh chemicals. Also contact A1 Certified envoirenmental services for hydroxyl generator rental in California.