How to Measure Indoor Air Quality and Its Importance
Is it safe to breathe the air in your home? Indoor air pollution has been identified as one of the top five public health threats, according to recent studies. Your family’s health can be impacted by poor indoor air quality in a variety of ways. Some of the effects take place right away. Others assemble gradually.
You can take efforts to decrease or eliminate pollutants in your home by conducting an indoor air quality test to assist you detect their presence.
What you need know about indoor air quality and how to gauge and keep an eye on it is provided below.
What is Indoor Air Pollution, Where Does It Come From, and Why Does It Matter?
You might be surprised to hear that smog, smoke, and haze that you see hanging in the air outdoors and much of the inside air pollution have a lot in common. This kind of pollution is known as “particulate matter” by the Environmental Protection Agency, which is defined as “a complex mixture of extremely minute particles and liquid droplets.”
Particle sizes are used to categorize the particulate matter; those smaller than 10 microns can pass through your nose and throat and end up in your lungs. Particles smaller than 2.5 microns, or PM2.5, are particularly dangerous because they can enter the bloodstream and travel deep into the lungs.
Origins of PM2.5
The following are the main causes of indoor air pollution:
- combustion devices that burn fuel, such stoves
- tobacco items
- central air conditioning and heating systems
- too much moisture
- Dust and dander
- Pet hair
- Building supplies and furniture that may release VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- sources of outdoor pollution
- items for personal care and/or hobbies, or cleaning products
- Excessive humidity, inadequate ventilation, and high levels of external pollutants that enter the building can all exacerbate indoor air pollution.
Health Effects of PM2.5
Human health may be impacted by PM2.5 in the near term as well as the long term. The effects vary depending on a number of variables, such as the type of pollutant, its concentration in the air, and preexisting health risk factors.
Short-term consequences could lead to:
- irritated eyes, nose, and throat
- Skin sensitivity
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Years after exposure or repeated exposure to the pollutant, some consequences may become apparent. These outcomes comprise:
- asthma and various respiratory conditions
- Cancer, heart disease
Although the most well-known impacts of exposure to PM2.5 are respiratory illnesses and related problems, there is mounting evidence that indoor air pollution may also play a role in the development of other health conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Testing the indoor air quality is an essential step to protect the health of your family.
How to Check the Air Quality Inside
Identification and monitoring of indoor air quality are crucial for maintaining the security of your house. While certain issues might be immediately noticeable, some indoor air pollutants go unnoticed since they are invisible and don’t have an immediate negative impact on health. These procedures will assist you in locating issues with indoor air quality so that you may take action to fix them.
Purchase and install a monitor for indoor air quality.
You can continuously check the environmental conditions in your house with an air quality monitor. Multiple sensors will be present in a decent air quality monitor to measure the variables that affect indoor air quality. In order to keep track of your home’s health and take action to improve conditions when they deviate from ideal healthy air conditions, you should at the very least look for a monitor that includes sensors for humidity, temperature, and particulate matter, such as the AcuRite AIR® Indoor Air Quality Monitor.
Guidelines to Maintain Indoor Air Quality
The first step in raising the air quality in your house is to identify indoor air contaminants and monitor indoor air quality. So that you and your family can feel your best, these ideas can help you make your house more comfortable and maintain a safe and healthy air quality.
To lessen the likelihood of mold and other allergens in the air, keep the humidity level between 30% and 60%. To maintain the ideal humidity, use humidifiers and dehumidifiers as necessary.
Clean, inspect, and replace furnace and air conditioner filters on a regular basis.
When cleaning, use HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaners to capture dust and allergens.
Weatherize your house. If tests or monitoring reveal that pollutants are entering your home through cracks, seal them with weather stripping and other equipment. There are programs offered by several utilities that can help you weatherize your house.
When possible, get rid of the sources of indoor pollution.
To boost air circulation, improve ventilation.
Invest in an air purifier to get rid of PM2.5 air pollution.
Visit our prior blog post for further advice on enhancing the quality of indoor air.
For the immediate comfort of your family as well as their long-term health, maintaining a healthy home environment is essential. Literally, an investment in air quality monitoring equipment could save their lives. Also keep in mind that your indoor air quality is influenced by what occurs outside.
How can you maintain the finest possible indoor air quality? Post your advice in the comments section below!
With the knowledge of your home air quality, this PM2.5 air quality meter from GZAIR helps you breathe, work, sleep, and live better. This cutting-edge design displays a 12- or 24-hour clock, temperature (in Fahrenheit or Celsius), humidity, and a PM2.5 measurement.
Your health and comfort may be significantly impacted by the quality of the air indoors. You can always be aware of the PM2.5 concentration, temperature, and humidity inside your home or business thanks to the GZAIR – Indoor Air Quality Monitor. Maintaining clean air can improve health and productivity by reducing the harmful impacts of poor air quality on the human body.
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