Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

To keep your home safe and comfortable, it’s critical to ensure that your indoor air quality is as good as possible. In order to do this, it’s important to be aware of the various air pollutants that may be present in your home or that you may have been bringing indoors

In this post, AC repair expert McLay discusses some common indoor air pollutants and shares tips on how you can minimize indoor air pollution.

Indoor Air Pollutants

Below are some of the most commonly-identified indoor air pollutants that you should watch out for:

Household Cleaners – Depending on the products you’re using, household cleaning solutions may contain harsh chemicals that give off fumes, which could potentially irritate your skin, nose, mouth and lungs. People with allergies, lung conditions or other respiratory sensitivities may suffer worse symptoms when exposed to such substances.

Cigarette Smoke – Cigarette smoke may settle, for example, on clothes, carpeting or really any material in a room. This is usually referred to as third-hand smoke, and it may contain residual gas and particles that could pose health hazards. The risks are typically greater to children and people with chronic lung and heart problems.

Asbestos – Asbestos is commonly found in older homes, particularly in insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paint and other coating materials. When it’s intact, asbestos doesn’t necessarily pose a health risk. However, when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by sanding, cutting or remodeling activities, there’s usually an elevated concentration of airborne asbestos, making it dangerous for anyone’s health.

Minimizing Indoor Air Pollution

Many HVAC technology trends are geared toward maintaining clean indoor air, so you might want to consider investing in these devices. In addition, there are a few other things that you can do:

Ensure that your home is well-ventilated. Avoid smoking indoors. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to reduce moisture. Keep the exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen properly maintained. Have your home tested for asbestos if you suspect it houses asbestos-containing materials.

Call McLay Today

McLay is a local plumbing and HVAC company founded in 1978. Whether you need a surge protector for your AC unit installed or a plumbing job done, you can count on us to deliver quality results. Call us at (909) 392-2202 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve customers in La Verne, CA.