According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time indoors. Your Avawam, KY, home’s air is typically two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. Poor indoor air quality has many negative effects on your health, including the following.
Uncomfortable Immediate Symptoms
When you’re suddenly exposed to a high concentration of an indoor air pollutant, you could have immediate negative health impacts. This could happen when using harsh chemical cleaners, burning a candle or using paints with volatile organic compounds. Common household allergens, including dust, pet dander, mold spores and pollen also have these immediate health impacts. Some of these effects include irritation to your eyes, nose and throat. You could also develop dizziness, headache or skin irritations. If you continue to be exposed to polluted indoor air for hours or days, you may develop fatigue, nausea or asthma flare-ups. Exposure to high carbon monoxide levels causes immediate serious illness, and it can even lead to loss of consciousness or death.
Chronic Breathing Problems
Ongoing exposure to certain indoor air pollutants puts you at risk of chronic breathing problems. In particular, mold spores, pollen, dust and radon increase your risk of lung disease. You may develop emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and other respiratory diseases. Constant exposure to polluted indoor air could trigger worse asthma or allergy symptoms.
Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases
Some indoor air pollutants cause long-term impacts on your health. If your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is much higher. Long-term exposure to poor IAQ also increases your risk of heart disease. When your lungs are damaged, your heart has to beat faster in order to get enough oxygen to your body. After years, this causes heart damage and heart disease.
To learn more about the impact of poor IAQ on your health, check out Appalachian Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling’s indoor air quality services, or call us for more details.
