Indoor Air Quality vs. Outdoor Air Quality
While both outdoor and indoor air quality are crucial for your health and well-being, there are differences in the causes, impacts and remedies of pollution in each. In this post, we will contrast indoor and outdoor air pollution sources and discuss the benefits of having clean indoor air in your home.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution can originate from several things, including:
1. Pet Dander
Pets can leave behind hair, skin cells, saliva and urine. For some people, this can result in allergic responses and asthma episodes.
2. Cooking and Cooking Oils
The production of smoke, grease and odors when cooking can have an impact on the quality of the air inside your home. Also, volatile organic chemicals released by cooking oils have the potential to irritate the throat, nose and eyes.
3. Candles and Their Soot
While candles can be used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, they can also release soot particles that can discolor walls and furniture and cause respiratory issues. Additionally, the volatile organic chemicals and artificial smells from scented candles can cause allergies and headaches.
4. Mold and Mildew
Humidity and moisture can encourage the growth of these microorganisms, which can discharge spores and poisons into the atmosphere.
5. Paints and Cleaning Supplies
Chemicals in paints and cleaning materials have the potential to evaporate into the air and pollute indoor air. Among these substances are formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia and chlorine, all of which can be harmful to you and your family’s health and well-being.
Sources of Outdoor Air Pollution
Since some outside air contaminants can enter your home through windows, doors and ventilation systems, they can also have an impact on the quality of the air indoors. Typical sources of outdoor air pollution include the following:
1. Fossil Fuel Combustion
Burning coal, oil and gas for transportation, heating and electricity can release pollutants including nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. These burning fuels can cause acid rain, smog and global warming.
2. Landfills
Landfills can produce leachate, a liquid that contaminates the soil and water sources, and methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Furthermore, diseases can be spread by pests like flies and rats that are drawn to landfills.
3. Factories and Industries
These entities release a range of contaminants, including dioxins, asbestos, heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which can be harmful to both the environment and human health. A few of these contaminants can linger in the environment for extended periods and build up within the food chain.
4. Vehicle Emissions
Particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons are among the exhaust fumes that cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes can release. Exposure to these pollutants can have negative effects on a person’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
5. Mining Operations
These operations can damage the land and discharge chemicals, metals and dust into the soil, water and air. In addition to causing pollution, mining can also have an impact on the general standard of living in the communities that surround it because of the noise and vibrations.
Benefits of Clean Indoor Air
Clean indoor air can have various benefits for your health and well-being, such as:
1. Enhances Productivity and Cognition
Research has indicated that fresh air within your house might improve your cognitive functions like concentration, memory and judgment. Additionally, it can raise your productivity in terms of output, effectiveness and quality of work.
2. Slows the Spread of Airborne Infections
Respiratory droplets or aerosols can spread infectious diseases such as COVID-19, influenza and tuberculosis. Clean indoor air helps lessen this risk. Moreover, it may lessen the intensity of these illnesses’ side effects and symptoms.
3. Protects against Outdoor Air Pollutants
Ventilation systems, windows and doors can all allow outdoor air pollutants to enter your home. Clean indoor air can serve as a barrier against these pollutants.
4. Lessens the Amount of Environmental Triggers for Allergies and Asthma
Clean indoor air can eliminate or lessen the allergens and irritants that can cause disorders like asthma and allergies.
Contact Us for Indoor Air Quality Services
If you want to enjoy the benefits of clean indoor air, get in touch with Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today. We are the leading company in indoor air quality services. We can help you assess, monitor and improve your indoor air quality, using the latest technology and best practices. We also offer other services such as drain cleaning, water heater repair, air duct cleaning, AC repair and more.
Contact Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today and discover how we can help you breathe better and live better in Somerset.
