Your indoor environment affects your health. You can determine what conditions develop in your own personal space. Every indoor environment is affected by two groups of conditions: Indoor humidity and building mechanical ventilation and function and the occupant activity within that space. The blog provides helpful information regarding both conditions.
Indoor Humidity and Building Mechanical Ventilation
Humidity is typically a result of the building design, building age, and type of construction. Damp basement conditions will promote mold, dust mite propagation, and possibly bacterial growth. The elevated humidity will provide an indoor environment that promotes unwanted air quality conditions. Overuse of furnace-mounted humidifiers, damaged eavestroughs, foundation failures, or building leaks all contribute to elevated basement humidity.
Occupant Activity within the Space
Occupant activity is responsible for the introduction of unwanted indoor conditions that occupants may not be aware of. Offgassing chemicals, excessive scented candle use, essential oils or incense, chemical soaps, cleaners, paint, and contents all contribute to indoor chemical offgassing in the enclosed indoor environment.
How to Reduce Chemical Offgassing
Many commonplace cleaning products are rich in chemicals, and many of those are harmful to your health. Not only can excessive exposure and inhalation put you at risk, but so can off-gassing that naturally occurs. The same can be said for furnishings, toys and other items that are produced with chemicals in their plastics, foams or other components. A great example of offgassing can be experienced by walking down the soap aisle at your local hardware store. Very quickly you will notice the combined effect household cleaners have on the indoor environment.
Airborne Particle Control
Aided by regulating the indoor relative humidity, reducing the risk of respiratory infections is essential to having a happy, healthy home or business. However, your air quality will improve if there are fewer particulates and microbes to deal with. Replacing air filters with the right size and rating and having your dryer exhaust thoroughly functioning and cleaned on an annual basis are all steps you should take to minimize airborne particulates.
If you need a hand in maintaining a healthy indoor environment, a residential air quality test is a great way to get started. Our team at Indoor Air Quality is here to help with informed, effective and timely service! Contact us today to learn more or schedule an inspection.
