Whether at home, school, or work, the average person spends most of their time indoors. If you’re wondering about the importance of air conditioning repair and indoor air quality in Nashville, the air you breathe is a major concern that can affect your health and that of your family. Installing air purifiers in your home and keeping up with air duct cleaning, air conditioning repair, and furnace service can help keep your home safe from indoor pollution.

Cleaning a HVAC Vent

Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

Designated a top five environmental danger by the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is a health hazard that people face daily. In many cases, it’s people’s daily habits that lead to polluted indoor air, such as chemicals from cleaning products, paints, personal care products, and solvents. Also, excess moisture in your home can lead to mold and bacteria growth, both of which have a negative impact on your indoor air quality. The EPA estimates that some homes have as much as five times the level of pollution that outdoor air does, and studies have shown that indoor air quality is a concern for homes wherever they are located. Some of the causes of indoor air pollution include chemical products, combustion sources, and building materials.

Indoor Air Quality and Health

Exposure to harmful chemicals released by household products has been linked to allergic reactions, dizziness, nausea, skin irritation, and even cancer. When purchasing household products, keep in mind how their ingredients and byproducts may affect your health. Pediatric asthma rates have increased and this condition is currently one of the most common chronic illnesses that affects children. Indoor air quality has been linked to the development of asthma in children.

Smoking and Indoor Air Quality

Secondhand smoke is among the most common and dangerous sources of indoor air pollution. Containing a minimum of 60 chemicals that have been linked to cancer, secondhand smoke is considered to be among the worst air pollutants in the world. Exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to cause ear infections, pneumonia, and respiratory infections in infants, and nonsmokers account for over 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year.