Poor indoor air quality in your Orlando area home causes a wide range of health problems. Symptoms vary from mild to serious depending on the extent of the problem. Elevated humidity, pollution, and poor ventilation are responsible for the majority of air quality concerns. Here are the effects that indoor air pollutants have on your home and office.
Causes of Indoor Pollution
Pollutants come from indoor and outdoor sources, such as air fresheners and smog. Furniture, carpets, paint and cleaning products often release volatile organic compounds and irritating chemicals.
Air exchange rates affect the healthfulness of indoor environments. In the past few decades, homes and commercial buildings have become tighter and tighter to increase energy efficiency. The result is that indoor pollutants become concentrated. People are spending more time indoors than they have in the past, but more buildings are full of pollution today. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors. Research shows that indoor air is two to five times more polluted than the air in major cities.
Air Quality Solutions
To effectively combat this level of pollution, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. When customers come to us for assistance with improving their air quality, we recommend these strategies:
- Removing pollutants is the first step for improving your air quality. This can be done with special filters and purification systems that neutralize microbes and chemicals.
- Mechanical ventilators reduce the concentration of contaminants. Ventilators work in concert with your HVAC system to release stale inside air and bring in the fresh outdoor air while maintaining a stable temperature.
- In Orlando, humidity control is necessary. Your air conditioner should keep the relative humidity around 50 percent. This percentage is low enough to prevent mold growth and dust mite activity.
Your E.C. Waters technician can install air purification products manufactured by RGF Environmental. The Guardian Air module uses RGF’s Advanced Oxidation Technology to neutralize germs, odors, and pollutants in commercial and residential settings. For more than 20 years, the technology has been used in schools, hospitals, cruise ships, hotels and areas where health and safety are a priority.
Air Quality Problems in Commercial Buildings
Experts emphasize the importance of comfortable work environments, but air quality is often ignored. Indoor pollutants affect customers and employees as well as items stored in the workspace. Poor air quality is linked to higher rates of sick leave and decreased productivity.
Humidity is another serious problem. Despite the paperless revolution, most companies still maintain complex file systems. If the humidity is too high, mold and mildew can flourish in folders, paper documents, and cellulose-based building materials.
Luckily, there are many ways to improve the air in office buildings and to safeguard the health of valued employees. Sick building syndrome, also called tight building syndrome, is a big problem among office workers. High levels of indoor pollution and a lack of ventilation cause many well-documented health concerns. These are a few dangers of air quality problems in commercial buildings:
- Employee dissatisfaction
- Decreased productivity
- Excessive sick leave
- Inventory losses
- Damaged documents
- Problems with electronics
Indoor Pollution in Residential Environments
Some folks are more susceptible to pollen, allergens, and airborne contaminants than others, but no one is immune to indoor pollution. Many substances contribute to severe allergies and asthma. These substances cause many people to experience worsening symptoms at home regularly. Common warning signs include headaches, dizziness, congestion, fatigue and respiratory infections. The following health issues are linked to indoor pollution:
- Allergy symptoms
- Asthma attacks
- Congestion
- Frequent illnesses
- Respiratory irritation
Elevated indoor humidity is associated with another set of problems. Humidity levels above 70 percent damage electronics, lead to mold infestations and support dust mites. Excessively dry indoor environments can also cause discomfort, so it’s important to strike a healthy balance.
If you have been struggling with poor air quality, E.C. Waters Air Conditioning & Heat offers personalized solutions. You can learn more by viewing our air quality products online or by calling (407) 603-9144.