Six Signs Of Poor Indoor Air Quality
It’s easy to forget that the air in your home is vital to your overall health. We all hear about outdoor air quality due to pollution, but you should also be concerned about indoor air quality. It's a good idea to be able to identify the factors that can signal poor air quality at home.
You can tell the air in your home is of poor quality if you find mold, mildew, and dust. Excessive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from commercial chemicals can also taint the air quality in your home. Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergy flare-ups and respiratory issues, even if you don’t have asthma.
Of course, these problems are worse and more dangerous for homeowners with asthma and COPD. Follow along as we highlight six signs of poor indoor air quality and some key solutions.
How Do I Know If The Air Quality In My House Is Bad
You can easily tell your home has poor air quality if you use an air quality monitor. However, if you don't have one, you should pay attention for several signs of poor indoor air quality.
1. Excessive Dust
Excessive dust is not only an eyesore, but it’s also bad for homeowners with asthma, COPD, and other respiratory illnesses. The dust on your furniture and floors will eventually move around and become part of the air you breathe. The particulate matter enters your nose, mouth, and lungs, affecting your breathing. Dust is comprised of everything from dead skin cells and pet dander to pollen and dust mite droppings.
This is bad news even for those without respiratory problems, and you must get it under control. Dust mites can exacerbate allergies and make you feel uncomfortable when left unchecked. Nearly every home has dust mites, but don't let it get out of control. Dust the surfaces in your house weekly, or at least a few times per month, to maintain good air quality.
2. Mold And Mildew
If you find mold and mildew at home, address the issue as soon as possible. The mold you see on your wall and ceiling will release spores that travel throughout your home. That’s how mold spreads, which is why it doesn’t stay contained for too long. Even worse, mold spores can enter air ducts and spread when your HVAC system runs. You can hire a mold remediation service to get rid of the mold, but that won’t eliminate the source.
The problem will persist until you address the root of the mold and mildew in your home. For example, you’ll keep finding mold in your bathroom if it’s poorly ventilated. Patch pipe leaks, install a fan in your bathroom, and clean spills as soon as you find them to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Otherwise, you will always struggle to maintain healthy indoor air quality.
3. Musty Odors
At one point or another, you’ll probably notice musty odors in your house. This is normal if you wait too long to do the laundry, but persistent musty odors point to poor indoor air quality. That’s especially true if the smell often appears when your air conditioner or furnace runs. This is a sign that the air ducts are full of dirt, dust, and debris, and you must clean them.
Air ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years, but not everyone knows this. A lot of debris enters air ducts each day, and it will stay there until it's removed. Invest in an air purifier if you can’t get rid of the musty odor in your house. This won’t fix the problem within the air ducts, but it will at least remove particulate matter from the air. Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days and schedule an air duct cleaning to improve the air quality.
4. Frequent Allergies
Are you in a rut of allergy flare-ups? If so, it may have something to do with your home’s indoor air quality. This is true even if you don't struggle with allergies, and you must investigate the problem. Many people move from one house to another and suddenly experience more allergy flare-ups. You may associate that with the local pollen count without realizing how that affects your house.
The surrounding pollen can enter your home and mix with dust, pet dander, and other debris. Mold and mildew can also trigger symptoms that mimic common illnesses and allergy flare-ups. This can be dangerous when left unchecked, especially if you’re in poor health and have a compromised immune system. The problem will continue until you address the source of the poor air quality.
5. Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetone, benzene, toluene, and methylene chloride, are present in many household products. Unfortunately, some VOCs can cause headaches, brain fog, dizziness, respiratory illness, and, in extreme cases, cancer. VOCs are present in paint, glues, furniture polish, tobacco smoke, air freshener, and many commercial cleaning products.
Excessive VOCs contribute to poor indoor air quality and can explain why you often feel ill at home. For example, many people experience chronic headaches after repainting their walls. Ideally, you should opt for low-VOC paints, glues, and polishes to improve your home’s indoor air quality. Store chemicals in airtight containers to prevent VOCs from leaking into the air.
6. A Cloudy Mind
Have you experienced brain fog with no obvious explanation? If so, see a doctor, but it’s also worth examining your home’s indoor air quality. That’s because everything from VOCs and natural gas exposure to mold and mildew can trigger brain fog. This brain fog goes hand in hand with malaise, lack of motivation, dizziness, and headaches. Take these symptoms seriously because they may indicate health problems or poor indoor air quality and can severely affect your quality of life.
How To Test Indoor Air Quality
Electronic air quality monitors scan for contaminants. Some devices only test for dust and pollen, whereas others cover a wide range of factors, including mold and mildew. Ideally, look for a device you can link to your phone to monitor the air quality in real time. You can also buy mail-in mold test kits to get comprehensive results regarding indoor air quality.
Otherwise, hire a certified indoor air quality consultant to test your home’s air. They check for radon, mold, mildew, dust, dander, VOCs, and other contaminants. Don't let these risks go unchecked, or you can put your health at risk. If you’re a renter, you must tell your landlord about your concerns.
How To Improve Indoor Air Quality At Home
To improve indoor air quality, prioritize HVAC maintenance and regularly dust your home. It’s also important to cut back on commercial products that contain harsh chemicals. Don’t smoke indoors, as third-hand smoke can linger in fabrics and dust. It also helps to introduce as much fresh air into your home as possible. Open windows on opposite sides of your house to create a cross breeze and push stale air out.
If possible, it’s worth buying an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Run the bathroom fan while showering and for 20 minutes after you get out. Doing so will reduce the risk of mold and mildew growing and spreading to the rest of your home. Schedule an air duct cleaning or contact your landlord if your air ducts haven’t been cleaned in 3 to 5 years.
Summing It Up
Excessive dust, mold, and mildew are signs of poor indoor air quality, and you should address these issues. You can also tell your home has poor air quality if you have frequent allergy flare-ups and you notice musty odors when your HVAC system runs. Frequent brain fog, headaches, and dizziness are also signs of poor indoor air quality.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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