The Telltale Symptoms of Bad Air Quality

Even when you can’t see particles in the air you breathe, you might be able to feel when it’s contaminated. Signs of poor indoor air quality include environmental clues like dust buildup and physical symptoms like headaches and nausea.

In Colorado, indoor air quality is a concern because of downwind proximity to wildfires, as well as outdoor pollution and indoor concerns, like off-gassing appliances and ineffective filtering solutions. Let’s explore the definition of poor indoor air quality and how to determine if your home’s air needs improvement.

What Is Bad Air Quality?

Air that scores over 100 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) is considered unhealthy; this is the air quality scale you’re most likely to hear about on the news or your weather app. The AQI is a global scale backed by the EPA and WHO that focuses on outdoor air quality.

Poor indoor air quality has high levels of contaminants such as dust, dander, cigarette smoke, mold, radon, VOCs, and waste from various pests—many pollutants that are not commonly found at significant levels in the outdoor air.

How to Tell If Air Quality in Your Home Is Bad

You may be able to tell that you have poor indoor air quality by monitoring yourself and your family members for bad air quality symptoms, such as:

  • Headaches

  • Nausea and dizziness

  • Dry or itchy skin, eyes, nose, or throat

  • Allergies or respiratory issues triggered while indoors

  • Poor sleep

 

Additionally, visible or environmental effects of bad air quality indoors include:

  • Dust buildup, especially near vents

  • Stagnant air, which may cause hot and cold areas

  • Mold and mildew

  • Musty smells

 

On top of looking for those signs, you can look at the EPA’s reports by location and additional local reports of outdoor air quality; assume that outdoor air quality will affect indoor quality. For example, the outdoor air quality in Loveland, CO, is typically in the “moderate” or “good” ranges.

Just remember that other indoor factors contribute to a home’s indoor air quality—more about that below!

The FAQs About Air Quality and Health

Can bad air quality make you sick?

It can. Poor air quality, indoors or outdoors, can cause respiratory or cardiovascular health problems—or exacerbate existing ones. Indoor air can be full of allergy and asthma triggers like dander, dust and mites, or cigarette smoke. Without a way to clear these irritants, you may find that your breathing problems are worse or occur more often at home.

Can poor air quality cause fatigue?

Yes, poor air quality causes fatigue in many individuals, especially those who exercise in polluted areas or suffer from insomnia related to the quality of the air they breathe.

Can poor air quality cause headaches?

Headaches are a common sign of poor air quality, often due to irritation of the trigeminal nerve. Ozone, propane, natural gas, and carbon dioxide are all indoor pollutants likely to cause headaches.

What Causes Bad Air Quality?

There are many causes of poor air quality indoors, including paraffin candles, fireplace emissions, indoor smoking, cleaning products and chemicals, certain building materials, and the off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Some of the most common outdoor causes are power generation practices, manufacturing processes, vehicle emissions, and natural disasters like wildfires. Many industrial practices release nitrogen oxide. Hot, sunny weather tends to cause those emissions to react with VOCs inside your home more than usual and worsen air quality.

What Can You Do About It at Home?

Addressing the indoor air quality in your home can mean everything from increased air filtering to fixing a pollution problem at its source. You can also mix and match indoor air quality solutions, such as:

  • Keeping HVAC filters up-to-date and HVAC equipment regularly maintained.

  • Using high-quality air purifiers and air filters, including whole-home systems.

  • Using electric appliances instead of gas (especially important for gas stoves, which electric or induction stoves can replace.)

  • Cleaning and vacuuming often, paying particular attention to upholstery.

  • Routinely airing out the house by opening windows and doors.

  • Choosing low-VOC paints, glues, varnishes, caulks, flooring, and furniture when renovating your home.

  • Getting professional air quality services about once a year or when problems occur.

 

Cleaning Your Air Quality with Professional Help

Are you ready to test or improve your indoor air quality in or near Loveland, CO? Connect with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Loveland. Our air quality experts resolve issues by confirming all potential causes and developing an indoor air quality plan to address them. Call us at (970) 822-0413 or book online.