We all want to breathe clean air anytime we can. However, the quality of the air outside is not always in our control. Automobile traffic, industry, pollen, and humidity are just some of the sources of air pollution outside, but there are also common sources of indoor air pollution too.

Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Unfortunately, the air inside our homes is often more polluted than the air outside (about five times more, to be exact). Because of a lack of fresh air indoors, concentrations of outdoor pollution and pollution created inside can build up to toxic levels. Here are just a few of the sources of indoor pollution

Combustion Sources

You might not have a city bus in your home but that doesn’t mean the air is free from similar pollutants including carbon monoxide, radon, and super-fine particulates. These pollutants come from gas stoves, wood stoves, fireplaces, and space heaters.

Building Materials

Especially in new homes, the materials used to construct the home vaporize or “off-gas,” and enter the air. Formaldehyde from cabinets, furniture tops, and subfloors are just a few examples.

Our Pets:

We may love our pets, but their presence does impact the air we breathe. Animals shed hair and their dander is a significant source of irritation for those suffering from asthma. Indoor/outdoor pets also bring in significant amounts of additional allergy triggers, including pollen.

Other Biological Agents

Mold and mildew in the home from excess humidity can also create unpleasant smells and aggravate respiratory conditions.

Viruses and bacteria can also be in the air indoors.

Dust

While many indoor air pollutants are invisible, we’ve all seen dust floating in the air in front of a window or light. That dust is made up of dander, dust mite materials, skin cells, and more.

You can have a Healthy Home

While we can’t control the air outside, we can manage it indoors. Whole-house Indoor Air Quality solutions provide you and your family the ability to capture dust, dander, pollen, and other particulates. Additionally, bringing in fresh air can help lower concentrations of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and reduce humidity.

Contact a local AprilAire Healthy Air Pro to get whole-house solutions installed in your home to capture indoor air pollutants.