Often, people with allergies try to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid symptoms. However, indoor air can contain particles and pollutants that may contribute to allergy symptoms or respiratory irritation. Indoor air quality plays a big role in how people with allergies feel while inside.
People spend considerable amounts of time indoors, which makes indoor air quality an important consideration. But what’s the connection between indoor air quality and allergies? We’ll discuss the most common indoor allergens and how homeowners can improve indoor air quality.
What Is IAQ?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to how the condition of indoor air impacts the health and comfort of those inside a building or structure. Indoor air quality can be impacted by pollutants. These include dust, mold, tobacco smoke, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning supplies.
Also, ventilation plays a role in how well fresh air replaces indoor air to help dilute pollutants. Lastly, air circulation, temperature, and humidity levels impact comfort indoors.
How Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Allergies
Poor indoor air quality can negatively impact those who suffer from allergies to dust, pet dander, or other pollutants. Airborne particles can be inhaled and may trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals. When indoor air is not ventilated properly, pollutant levels can remain high and settle onto surfaces, such as furniture and floors. Poor IAQ can trap allergens and chemical irritants in living spaces and amplify reactions.
Exposure to indoor allergens may cause:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Throat irritation
- Headaches
Note that allergy symptoms can have many causes, and that indoor air quality is only one potential factor.
Common Allergens
There are a wide range of allergens that may be present in indoor air, including:
- Pet dander: Dry flakes of skin, saliva, and urine from indoor animals like cats and dogs stick easily to rugs and furniture.
- Dust mites: These tiny bugs may live in warm, damp places throughout the home. Their waste and body parts can become airborne and pollute indoor air.
- Mold spores: Mold is a fungus that grows in wet spaces like bathrooms or basements and releases microscopic spores into the air.
- Chemical cleaners: Common household cleaners contain chemicals that can enter the air and cause allergic reactions.
- Cockroach debris: Cockroach droppings, saliva, and body parts can break down into dust and trigger asthma and allergies.
Signs Your Home May Have Poor Indoor Air Quality
How do you know that your home has poor indoor air quality? Major signs include musty odors, excessive dust or pet hair, and dirty HVAC filters. Let’s explore these signs more deeply.
- Excessive dust: If you notice dust settling on a variety of surfaces that returns shortly after cleaning, you may have poor indoor air quality.
- Persistent musty odors: Homes that smell musty often have poor indoor air quality due to mold or mildew.
- Visible mold or moisture: If you see visible mold or mildew growth, your indoor air quality has been compromised.
- Excessive humidity or dryness: If indoor air is too humid or too dry, indoor air quality is significantly impacted.
- Frequent allergy symptoms that seem worse indoors: If sensitive individuals find that symptoms worsen inside, your home’s IAQ needs improvement.
- Poor ventilation: Poor ventilation lowers IAQ and can harm health by trapping pollutants and raising humidity from everyday activities.
- Stale indoor air: When indoor air seems stale, it means that it lacks circulation of fresh air and may cause bad odors.
- Excessive pet hair or dander: Homes with a visible excess of pet hair often have poor IAQ due to dander from living with pets that shed.
- Dirty HVAC filters: HVAC filters can’t trap pollutants when they’re dirty or clogged.
How Can I Improve Indoor Air Quality?
To improve indoor air quality, there are several steps you can take, including replacing HVAC filters regularly, increasing ventilation, using an air purifier, cleaning the air ducts, and removing pollutants.
First, controlling indoor air quality starts with the sources of pollutants. Limit pollutants by keeping your home smoke-free, vacuuming regularly for pet hair and dust, and avoiding burning candles or incense.
Next, choose safer products with fewer VOCs, such as non-toxic cleaning supplies and low-VOC paint. Use exhaust fans, when possible, such as in bathrooms and kitchens to remove excess moisture and prevent mold growth.
Replace HVAC filters per the manufacturer specifications to prevent pollutants from recirculating. You can also consider installing an air filtration system for a cleaner, more comfortable home. Professional air duct cleaning also removes pollutants and allergens from the home.
Contact Us Today
If you’re looking to improve your home’s indoor air quality, Mercurio’s can help. Mercurio’s offers indoor air quality services, such as air duct cleaning, air filtration, crawlspace cleaning, and more in Tacoma, WA and the surrounding areas.
Contact us today at (360) 499-2980 or book an appointment online!
