Air quality problems are sometimes hard to detect at home since so many pollutants are invisible and don’t smell. In spite of the fact that we may already be experiencing some of the symptoms of airborne toxins and viruses, chances are we don’t even take the time to think that they could be related to the air we breathe. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute substantially to the development of infections and various diseases, as indicated by numerous studies. In some cases, short-term or moderate effects can occur, while others can be severe and long-lasting.
Understanding what’s in the air we breathe and how it affects our health and well-being is crucial. There are ten signs that your air quality is likely to be poor.
- Headaches, nausea, dizziness, allergies, or breathing problems frequently occur when you’re at home.
- You feel better after you leave a certain room in your house or after you open a window.
- A strong chemical or musty smell lingers in the air. Occupants in your home or your next-door neighbors smoke or frequent places where there is heavy smoking.
- You have recently upgraded your furniture, carpeting, or undertaken renovations in the house including painting and construction.
- Chemicals such as insecticides, paints, or solvents are improperly stored for a long period of time in your home.
- It is especially humid inside your home and you sweat a lot.
- See any visible problems like excessive dust, flaking, mold, or mildew.
- Pets roaming freely around your home and not being groomed regularly.
- If you are using an unventilated stove, a gas-fired kitchen range without a hood, or in a closed area without any air circulation.
- Living in an area with heavy vehicular traffic or construction.
These are just some of the red flags that should make you concerned about whether the air you’re breathing is safe and healthy for you and your family. Putting your family’s health, safety, and well-being at risk should not be left to chance or to guesswork.
You can keep track of your air quality in real time using a smart air quality monitor such as uHoo. It will alert you when there are any possible problems so that you can take action as soon as possible. Your family and yourself can be protected from the harmful effects of pollutants when you are able to identify and prevent their accumulation in your home.
