The state of California is known for strict air pollution laws and requirements for outdoor air quality. They have even established laws to regulate what comes into homes that can affect the indoor air quality.
How bad is the outdoor air quality in California?
It is apparent what affects our outdoor air quality, starting with vehicle emissions, creating up to 40% of the pollution. This is primarily in Los Angeles and the surrounding area there is more than one car per person. Other contributions to the decline in outdoor air quality here in California are the wildfires, heat waves, and energy sources.
What are the contributing factors affecting indoor air quality?
The majority of pollutants that affect indoor air quality come from sources inside our homes and businesses, such as the outdoor climate and the weather conditions, along with human behavior.
The weather conditions can cause occupants to keep the windows closed or open. Then when it’s hot, we turn on the air conditioner and when it’s cold, we turn on the heaters and humidifiers. Each of these affects the indoor air quality in our homes, offices, and businesses.
But there are other contributing factors to harming the indoor air quality:
- Combustion Byproducts: Carbon Monoxide, Particulate Matter, Tobacco smoke.
- Natural Substances: Mildew, Mold, Pet Dander, Radon.
- Biological Agents: Molds.
- Asbestos, Lead, and Pesticides.
- Ozone from Air Cleaners.
- Various VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
What is considered to be a safe indoor air quality level?
Every day, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) analyzes the air pollutants in different locations, breaking them down into 5 groups and how they affect the AQI (Air Quality Index), both indoor air quality and outdoor air quality.
Ideal indoor air quality as determined by the EPA is under 100. For anything over 100, caution is advised. However, people with existing health issues can have difficulty breathing with an indoor air quality that has an AQI measuring over 51.
What are the symptoms of poor indoor air quality?
We come home with the feeling that we’re safe and protected. But when it comes to indoor air quality, are we safe and protected? Unfortunately, there are unseen dangers in the air that can make you and your family sick. Some of those dangers include:
1. Respiratory Issues
If anyone in your home suffers from allergies and other respiratory irritations, this should be an alarming sign that the indoor air quality in your home is not healthy. Any excessive breathing issues, coughing or sneezing are justifications to have your home’s air quality inspected.
2. Frequent Headaches
Any person in your home that has frequent headaches can be an indication of poor indoor air quality. There is a wide range of possibilities contributing to this, like VOCs and inadequate air circulation.
3. Fatigue and Insomnia
Poor indoor air quality can make it difficult to get a good, solid night’s sleep. With airborne irritants like dust and pollen, breathing becomes difficult, makes us restless, and falling asleep becomes difficult, only to wake up and have difficulty falling back to sleep.
4. Excessive Dust
Yes, all homes will have dust, but if you seem to be constantly wiping that dust off surfaces around your home, you should change the air filter. If that doesn’t help, have your air ducts cleaned and inspected.
5. Energy Bills Increase
Poor indoor air quality can cause energy bills to increase because the HVAC system is working harder. Have an indoor air quality test performed and this can help determine the exact problem.
6. Unpleasant Smells
Another indication of poor indoor air quality is persistent unpleasant odors and smells. From a musty smell to a chemical odor, they can be caused by mildew, mold, and other pollutants.
Another indication that your home or business has poor indoor air quality is a high humidity level inside. The humidity should never be more than 50% inside. Condensation on glass surfaces is often caused by poor ventilation, affecting the indoor air quality, and the combination of humidity and condensation can lead to mildew and mold growth, resulting in the air feeling and smelling stale.
Clearing The Air
So, how can you improve your home or business’s indoor air quality? Well, first don’t worry that a major investment may not be necessary! There are three steps you can take that are inexpensive, even free to get better indoor air quality. Those three steps are:
- Control the source of the problem: Simply eliminate any individual sources of pollution like sealing or removing any asbestos, make sure gas appliances are connected and functioning properly, and increase the ventilation in the attic.
- Have adequate indoor ventilation: Most HVAC systems do not pull in fresh air. When the weather permits, opening doors and windows, and turning on attic fans, the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans will increase the outdoor ventilation and improve the indoor air quality.
- Change or clean air filters: This should be done every 30 days and if there are any occupants with respiratory issues, more frequent can help the indoor air quality.