The EPA has identified that low indoor air quality is a serious threat to many people in the U.S. As on average U.S citizens spend 85% of their time indoors, poor indoor air quality inside businesses, homes, and offices is a serious issue. Taking action to improve your indoor air quality could lead to some important health benefits, so here we will explore the issue a little further.

Why Better Indoor Air Quality Leads to Better Health:Great Indoor Air Quality to Promote Good Health

The EPA has conducted a number of studies into the effects of common domestic pollutants on our health. Their research has shown that there is the possibility of some serious short and long term consequences.
In the short term, dirt and dust in the air can have an immediate impact on your health. The indications of poor indoor air quality include dizziness, headaches, general fatigue and irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes. These effects are often overlooked as they are similar to the typical common cold and flu symptoms. While these symptoms are rarely serious enough to be life threatening and will subside when you are in better air conditions, they are aggravating and can compromise your quality of life. Although these symptoms are minor, if you have people living with asthma in your home or those with allergies, the conditions can be exacerbated by poor air quality. Cleaner air can immediately correct these issues, allowing you to feel more energetic.

Long Term Benefits of Improving Your Indoor Air:

The EPA has documented a connection between the long term exposure to poor indoor air and serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. While there is still uncertainty about the link between poor quality air and serious maladies, since underlying causes are difficult to categorically determine, there are ongoing investigations. This means that those who are conscious about their health and wellbeing need to seriously consider the impact of long term exposure. By improving your indoor air quality, you could be reducing the risk of developing these serious health problems.

Improving Your Indoor Air:

There are a number of ways to improve your indoor air quality. The easiest and most effective method is to ensure that the filters on your air conditioning system are regularly changed. Most manufacturers recommend that filters are changed every six to eight weeks. If you have pets or smokers in your home, you may find that your filters need to be changed more frequently. If the air quality in your home has been severely compromised, you may also need to consider having your ducts professionally inspected and cleaned. Even minor damage and holes in your ductwork can introduce dust, dirt, and debris into your conditioned air. Repairing these leaks will immediately improve the efficiency of your air conditioning and your air quality.
You can also take some measures around your home to improve your air quality. Regularly dust the surfaces and clean any soft furnishings to minimize dust in the air. You should also try to maintain optimum humidity levels of between 30 to 50%. This may require introducing a humidifier into your HVAC system.