Air Quality Fundamentals Explained

Facts About Air Quality Revealed

Outdoor air pollution generated by burning fossil fuels, for instance, can flow inside buildings through cracks, gaps and ventilation systems and become indoor pollution. Most of this pollution is particulate matter, or tiny particles of matter and droplets of liquid that can become suspended in the air and easily inhaled.


Carbon Monoxide Radon Nitrogen dioxide Building material and furnishings Asbestos Building and paint products Household cleaning products Formaldehyde from pressed wood products and other sources Lead Mold and mildew Bacteria and viruses Pet dander Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Cockroach droppings, saliva and body parts Dust and dust mites Pollen A lack of adequate ventilation can contribute to the buildup of contaminants and make indoor air pollution worse.


Elevated humidity and high temperatures can also worsen indoor pollution by creating an environment that’s ripe for the growth of biological pollutants, such as mold and bacteria. Molds are types of fungi that need moisture to grow. In nature, mold is useful because it helps to break down dead and decaying matter.


Mold spores can become airborne and irritate your skin, eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Mold can also trigger allergy attacks and asthma episodes. You can prevent and slow mold growth by keeping humidity levels at 50 percent or less, and keeping showers and cooking areas well ventilated. If you end up with a mold problem, you need to correct the issue that’s causing it and clean it up completely.

All About Indoor Air Pollution

If mold contamination is more severe, you may need to hire a professional. Large water systems, such as those found in hospitals, hotels and cruise ships, can also harbor dangerous bacteria that may cause serious health problems. Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease, occurs naturally in lakes and streams.


People become sick when they unknowingly inhale tiny aerosolized droplets of the tainted water. Cooling towers associated with large-scale air conditioning systems are one of the leading causes of Legionnaires’ outbreaks. As part of a study published in 2017 in PLOS One, researchers tested 196 cooling towers in eight of the nine continental United States climate regions.


Hot and cold water storage tanks Water filters Ice machines Hot tubs Evaporative air conditioners Decorative fountains Faucets Showerheads and hoses Faucet flow restrictors Pipes, valves and fittings Centrally installed misters and humidifiers Certain types of medical equipment, such as CPAP machines, bronchoscopes and nebulizers Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include coughing, headaches, muscle aches, fever and trouble breathing - air quality.




You can minimize the risk of Legionella at home by properly maintaining plumbing systems. It’s important to regularly flush your pipes with warm or hot water and not let water stagnate. You should also regularly clean showerheads. If you have a fountain or a hot tub, you need to regularly drain and disinfect it.

Things about Air Quality

If you use a nebulizer, rinse the bowl each time you use it and wash the entire chamber and mask every day with warm water and dishwashing liquid. Only use distilled water or water that’s been boiled in your nebulizer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.


Because it occurs naturally, everyone is exposed to low levels of radon. This normal level of exposure is not usually considered dangerous. But if radon seeps into your home through cracks and indoor air pollution effects on environment crevices, high levels of the gas can accumulate and threaten your health. Did you know? Radon leads to roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.


Because radon has no smell or taste, and you can’t see it, it’s impossible to know try here it’s there unless you test for it. Most home improvement stores sell inexpensive radon test kits. You can also purchase a radon test kit online from Kansas State University’s National Radon Program Services. Short-term test kits cost $15 and take two to four days.


New Jersey residents must pay $10 extra because of state requirements. The average level of radon indoors is approximately 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), according to the EPA. If your test shows radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher, you’ll need to do a confirmation test and take steps to reduce radon levels.

Indicators on Air Quality You Should Know

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that’s strong, flexible and heat resistant. Those qualities have made it a popular component in a variety of building materials, including insulation, vinyl flooring, roofing shingles, textured paint and other products. But when inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers are toxic to humans. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and lethal cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart and other organs.


And older homes, in particular, may have hidden asbestos everywhere. Asbestos in homes Homes image source built or remodeled between World War I and 1980 are much more likely to contain asbestos. But the only way to know for sure if your home contains asbestos is to hire an asbestos professional. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it’s damaged or disturbed and tiny asbestos fibers go airborne.


An asbestos professional can help you identify whether your home contains asbestos and take steps to reduce any potential exposure. Air pollution is a common trigger for asthma, a chronic lung disease that inflames and constricts the airways. air quality. Typical symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening.


Dust mites, for instance, are microscopic, insect-like pests that feed off of the dead skin of people and pets. Even though you can’t see them, they are ever present and live in bedding, furniture, carpet, drapes and other places. Pollen Molds Tobacco smoke and vape products Pet dander Cockroach droppings To reduce tobacco exposure, don’t allow smoking inside your house.

Little Known Questions About Air Quality.

To cut down on pests like cockroaches, keep garbage outside of the home and don’t leave dirty dishes stacked in the sink (Indoor Air Pollution). Standing water also attracts roaches, so fix any potential plumbing leaks and seal any crevices or cracks around pipes. Be sure to vacuum frequently to help eliminate pollen, pet dander and dust.