The indoor air quality in our homes may be something that most of us take for granted. We imagine our homes as a safe space, a place where nothing can harm us and all is well. Surprisingly enough, this false sense of security leads many of us astray, causing us to fall victim to the dangers of our own homes. This is because inside our homes are many indoor pollutants that may be harming our families.
If you have any concerns about the indoor air quality in your home, contact our heating & air conditioning company, today! We can discuss ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality and answer any questions you may have.
Causes and Solutions to Air Quality Problems in Your Home
Indoor air quality has become a concern for many organizations across the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency ranks indoor air pollution as the leading environmental danger. The major causes are due to numerous sources of pollutants within American homes. The EPA estimates that indoor air is five times dirtier than outdoor air. In rare cases, homes may be one hundred times dirtier than the outside. The EPA held numerous studies that suggest indoor air quality is a danger for all homes, despite the area of residency. The key indoor air quality detractors include combustion sources, building materials, chemical products, organic matter, and outdoor invaders.
Often, we are unaware of these factors, but there are ways that we can identify and tackle these potentially harmful substances. Below, we discuss a few issues surrounding indoor air quality in homes across St. Louis.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke as an indicator of poor indoor air quality is something that many Americans have been aware of for decades. It is further known to be one of the leading global contributors to poor indoor air quality. Secondhand smoke contains numerous carcinogens, including formaldehyde and carbon dioxide.
The impact felt on poor indoor air quality because of secondhand smoke is substantial. There are 3500 lung cancer deaths each year caused by smoking. Every year there are 42,000 heart disease deaths caused by impure air inhalation. While many adults are impacted each year by secondhand smoke, there is another susceptible population that requires special attention. Indeed, one million children are affected by asthma each year due to poor indoor air quality at home. This contributes to ten billion dollars in medical related expenses annually. By investing in home purification, and reducing secondhand smoke in the home, a family has the potential to categorically reduce both the risk of these ailments and related costs.
Children and Other Harmful Air Pollutants
One of the foremost chronic common diseases is asthma. Indicative by a cough or wheeze, and the possibility of congestion, asthma is a leading cause in chronic illness in the United States. Due to impurities in the home environment, infant asthma recently jumped from 40.1 to 69.1, which caused an increase in unhealthy conditions for children, with multiple indoor air quality pollutants having direct ties to contributing to asthma in developing children.
What Can We Do About Harmful Indoor Air Quality Pollutants?
Whether you are improving your indoor air quality for yourself or your children, consider Galmiche & Sons to install a system to purify your air. An air purifier for your home helps to defeat harmful air pollutants that might be decreasing your quality of life. A HEPA air purifier helps refine your air against pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke. Therefore, the issues you face in your daily home can be significantly reduced and even eliminated by investing in an air filter that not only purifies your air, but protects your family.
Contact Us About Improving Your Home’s Air Quality
If you would like to learn more about bettering the indoor air quality of your home, call us today! Whether you just have questions about air purification or are in need of an electronic air cleaner or other air purification system, contact Galmiche & Sons, your local St. Louis heating & air conditioning company, for all your HVAC needs!
