How indoor air quality affects our health

Did you know that air inside our homes can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air? That's why ensuring your home has good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is essential. Poor indoor air quality affects our health and well-being. Luckily, there are several things you can do to improve your home's air quality. Keep reading for tips on how to improve your home's indoor air quality.

How Indoor Air Quality Affects Health and Productivity

The importance of indoor air quality has been recognized since the 1970s when the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established. The report found that poor IAQ was linked to various health problems, including respiratory infections, asthma attacks, and other respiratory illnesses. Poor IAQ has also been linked to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, dry eyes, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. In some cases, poor IAQ can even cause or worsen mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

In the decades since EPA was established, much research has been conducted on IAQ and its effects on human health.

There is also growing evidence that poor IAQ can impact productivity in the workplace. Workers exposed to poor IAQ are more likely to take more sick days, be less productive when at work, and experience a decline in cognitive function.

Good Air Quality Can Make a Huge Difference When Working From Home

The pandemic has forced many people to work from home, and while it has its perks, some challenges come along with it. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with poor air quality.

You can do a few things to improve the air quality in your home, such as opening windows, using an air quality monitor, radon monitor, and using air purifiers. However, if you live in an area with high pollution levels, these measures may not be enough.

Why Is Good Air Quality Important for People Who Work From Home?

When you're working in an office, other people usually help keep the air clean. But when you're working at home, it's up to you to ensure the air is clean and fresh. And since we tend to spend more time indoors when working from home, it's even more important to control indoor air quality.

A few things can contribute to poor indoor air quality, such as household cleaning products, pet dander, mold, and dust mites. 

Fortunately, you can do a few simple things to improve the air quality in your home office.

• Use natural cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals

• Invest in an air purifier to help remove pollutants from the air

• Make sure to vacuum and dust regularly

Poor air quality can make concentrating and focusing on your work difficult. If you're constantly being interrupted by coughing fits or headaches, it's going to be tough to get anything done; you can keep track of the IAQ with an air quality monitor and a radon monitor.

How Much Time Do We Spend Indoors?

It's a question that plagues many of us – just how much time do we spend cooped up inside our homes and offices? The answer is a shocking 90%!

This means that, on average, we spend 9 out of 10 hours indoors or in some enclosed space. And when you think about it, that's not all that surprising.

After all, most of us work indoors, eat our meals indoors, and even exercise indoors. We watch TV and surf the internet indoors, and when we're not doing those things, we're sleeping indoors. That's why it's so essential to have either an air quality monitor or a radon monitor on hand. 

The only time we really spend outside is when we're commuting to and from our homes and workplaces. And even then, we're usually in a car, bus, or train – all enclosed spaces.

So What Does This Mean for Our Health?

Unfortunately, many people do not take indoor air quality seriously until they or someone they love suffers from a respiratory illness or other health problem that can be directly linked to poor air quality. This example is why it is vital to proactively address indoor air quality issues.

For people who suffer from allergies or asthma, airborne contaminants can trigger attacks or make symptoms worse. In extreme cases, they can even lead to hospitalization. As mentioned earlier, exposure to poor indoor air quality for those who do not have respiratory issues can still lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

You must actively improve indoor air quality in your home before health issues develop or worsen. Some simple steps you can take include vacuuming and dusting regularly, using air filters in your home, and avoiding harsh chemicals. If you have a severe problem with indoor air quality, you may need to hire a professional to help you mitigate the issue.

Indoor air quality is often overlooked, but it's vital. Don't wait until it's too late to address indoor air quality issues in your home. Take action now to protect your health and the health of your loved ones or colleagues.