Air Pollution and Health
Air Pollution and Respiratory Health
According to the EPA, the air inside your home may be anywhere from 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside. Poor air quality makes occupants of a building or home more susceptible to respiratory conditions like asthma as they spend more time indoors. There is a strong correlation between air pollution and respiratory health, especially for people with weak immune systems such as children and the elderly. However, it’s possible to reduce the air pollution in your home to make it safer and more comfortable for everyone by having your HVAC system cleaned. Here’s what you need to know about air pollution and respiratory disease in Metro Atlanta.
Air Pollution and Allergies
Allergic reactions are some of the most common side effects of air pollution. If you’re frequently coughing, sneezing, or wheezing in your home, it’s probably caused by the dust, mold, and other debris circulating through your air. These contaminants get trapped in your HVAC system and are continually cycling throughout your home, gradually exposing you and your family to more respiratory irritants.
There is also a link between poor indoor air quality and asthma, which can also be related to allergies and is triggered by many of the same contaminants. Asthma and air pollution statistics show that asthma sufferers are approximately 40% more likely to have an attack in highly polluted areas than they are in clean air. In addition, an air pollution and asthma case study during the 1996 summer Olympic Games in Atlanta showed a significant decrease in asthma-related hospital visits during the games, when many steps were taken to reduce traffic and pollution in the downtown area.
Air Pollution and Other Diseases
Similar to the link between asthma and air pollution, pollution can be linked to a number of other serious health problems. Not only do your air ducts trap dust and pollen, they are also a haven for all the chemicals that you use when you paint your home or clean the bathroom. These chemicals gradually build up in your duct system and cause poor air pollution that puts you at an increased risk of developing heart disease and even cancer. Indoor air pollution is also believed to be a potential cause of autoimmune disorders, which are chronic, painful conditions with no known cure.
How to Reduce Air Pollution at Home
The best way to reduce indoor air pollution is by keeping your HVAC system and air ducts as clean as possible through regular filter changes and having the system cleaned every 3-5 years. This way contaminants don’t get the chance to accumulate and circulate through your home. At Air Quality Systems, we offer cleaning services for your entire HVAC system, removing the dust, mold, chemicals, and other substances that are causing indoor air pollution and asthma or other adverse health conditions.
Give us a call to schedule your air duct cleaning today!