Absolutely. Air pollution concentration can be as much as 100 times worse in a building than outdoors. The American Lung Association found that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, making it essential for homeowners to know about indoor air quality (IAQ) in the Wasatch Front region.
Many common household things contribute to bad indoor air quality, like:
- Chemicals in parts of carpet, furniture, upholstery and drapes
- Cleaning chemicals
- Paint
- Personal care products
The secure construction of today's homes also contributes greatly to bad IAQ. Upgrades like weather stripping and storm doors are made to lower utility expenses. However, they also prevent enough ventilation by keeping interior air in and exterior air out. The result could be an increase of fumes in your house.
Poor IAQ can be a direct or indirect cause of several health troubles. Medical professionals report that as many as half of all sicknesses are tied or irritated by indoor air pollution.
Chemicals inside your house can bring on flu-like symptoms including headaches, nausea and respiratory sensitivity. It can also trigger allergies and asthma.
Proper ventilation also plays an important role in enhancing indoor air quality, because it decreases the level of indoor pollutants.