Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.
Signs of poor indoor air quality may include excessive amounts of dust or increased difficulty breathing in your home. People with allergies or other breathing problems will often be some of the first to experience the effects of poor indoor air quality. Sometimes you might even smell the problem before you can see it.
Look out for the following symptoms of bad air quality:
Headaches – if you suffer from frequent headaches, it might be a sign that you're breathing in polluted air which can cause headaches, and dizziness. Fatigue – poor outdoor air quality can make you feel tired and lethargic, even if you sleep long enough.
Place small bowls of activated charcoal (found in most home goods stores) around your home to naturally absorb toxins and odors. Diffusing essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon can help combat airborne bacteria and create a fresher, cleaner environment.
Purchase an indoor air quality monitor
They do, and they are the easiest option on the market today for consistently checking your Indoor Air Quality. What is it? An always-on electronic device that consistently tests and reports on the levels of pollution inside your home.
Get a “True HEPA” air purifier.
HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns and they are an effective instrument in filtering out mold, dust, pollen, and other air pollutants. This type of filter should be replaced every month or two to work efficiently.
Once inside the lungs, air pollutants can narrow airways, decrease air flow, and can cause airway inflammation, chest tightness, chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue.
The quality of indoor air inside offices, schools, and other workplaces is important not only for workers' comfort but also for their health. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
You can use a 3M LeadCheck Swab (found at most hardware stores) to do this; be sure you swab any children's products and imported goods. Conduct a lead risk assessment by a certified inspector before any home remodel.
Indicators of SBS include:
Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
The first option is to install an air quality monitor to provide continuous data on pollutants in the home, like particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and VOCs. Devices like the PurpleAir Indoor Air Quality Monitor help homeowners monitor real-time changes in air quality, making it easier to take action when necessary.
Both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution can lead to a wide range of diseases, including stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, aggravated asthma and lower respiratory infections.
Repeated or prolonged exposure to high levels of some VOCs can cause blurred vision, headaches, nausea, dizziness, coughing, burning eyes, respiratory irritation, skin rashes, respiratory illness, concentration difficulties, and other symptoms.
Symptoms may include: irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; coughing; phlegm; chest tightness; and shortness of breath. At greatest risk from particle pollution are people with heart or lung disease, older adults (possibly because they may have undiagnosed heart or lung disease), and children.
Change your furnace filter regularly. Avoid burning in your home, including fireplaces, wood stoves, gas appliances, and candles. Avoid chemicals such as air fresheners, sprays and cleaning products or use a healthier option. Vacuum your rugs and carpets regularly.
Simple things you can do to improve your indoor air quality include: Reduce dust by vacuuming regularly and using a microfiber or damp cloth for dusting. Reduce humidity to avoid mold and mildew buildup and change appliance filters regularly. And make sure to test your home for dangerous gases like radon.
Occupants of homes with poor indoor air quality may complain of symptoms such as headache, eye irritation, fatigue, dry throat, sinus congestion, dizziness, and nausea.