Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and How it Affects Your Health
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and How it Affects Your Health
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a concern that affects the health and well-being of people who live, work, learn and play in buildings. Pollutants in indoor air can cause health effects that are immediate or show up after long or repeated exposures.
Children, older adults and individuals with preexisting medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to indoor air pollution. It is important to understand the sensitivity of different people to pollutants so that interventions can be tailored to their needs.
What is IAQ?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the health and comfort of people in buildings, especially those who work in them. IAQ is affected by many factors such as temperature, lighting, and ventilation.
Common pollutants released into the air include odors, dusts, and allergens. Often these substances cause symptoms in susceptible individuals, such as headaches and shortness of breath.
However, some exposures do not lead to symptoms. For example, people with preexisting conditions, such as asthma or lung disease, may experience more severe problems from low-quality IAQ.
The primary sources of indoor pollution are burning solid fuels like oil, gas, kerosene, coal and wood; products for household cleaning, personal care and hobbies; and central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices. Other sources include radon, which enters homes through cracks and gaps in the walls or roof.
What causes IAQ to be poor?
Poor indoor air quality can be caused by a variety of pollution sources. These include vapors from cleaning products, smoke, cooking, and the burning of solid fuels.
In addition, contaminated ventilation systems can lead to poor air quality inside apartments. If these types of problems occur, occupants should take steps to improve IAQ.
These actions include removing sources of pollution, improving ventilation, and installing air cleaning devices. Educating people about IAQ and the proper operation of ventilation systems are also essential.
Health effects of poor indoor air quality can be serious, especially for those who are sensitive to air pollutants. For example, asbestos and radon do not cause symptoms right away but can lead to cancer after long or repeated exposures.
What are the symptoms of IAQ?
Poor indoor air quality often leads to health problems such as headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Some specific diseases, such as asthma with a damp indoor environment, have been linked to specific air contaminants or indoor environments; other exposures like asbestos and radon may not cause immediate symptoms but can lead to cancer after many years of exposure.
Other health effects from some contaminants can show up as soon as a person is exposed and may be treatable. Some biological pollutants, such as mold and mildew, release disease-causing toxins that may trigger allergic reactions or make people feel ill. Children, elderly people, and individuals with breathing problems, allergies, and lung diseases are particularly susceptible to these health effects.
How can I improve IAQ?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is often poor and can affect your health. The best way to improve it is by following a few simple guidelines.
The first step is to identify your symptoms and sources of indoor air pollution. Look for the telltale signs of poor IAQ, including smoke stains on your walls, mold or mildew growth, smelly or stuffy rooms, and areas that appear to lack ventilation.
If possible, try to avoid cigarette smoking indoors. If this cannot be avoided, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes place.
Source control is the most effective way to decrease your exposure to airborne pollutants. This means removing or sealing sources of pollution and controlling their emissions. In most cases, this is the simplest and most cost-effective solution to improving your IAQ. EPA and NIOSH recommend that building owners and facility managers adopt this approach to ensure good indoor air quality. They have published a guide, Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers, that provides guidance on how to achieve this.
Batesville Electric Heating & Air
https://www.batesvilleelectric.com/
789 Lawrence St, Batesville, AR 72501
870-698-1416
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and How it Affects Your Health Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a concern that affects the health and well-being of people who live, work, learn and play in buildings. Pollutants in indoor air can cause health effects that are immediate or show up after long or repeated exposures. Children, older adults…