Have you ever noticed how the sun illuminates the particles of dust in your home or that the air in your house gets a little bit smokey while cooking? These are a few forms of minor air pollutants, but some pollutants are far more serious than dust. This air in your home is what your children will regularly breathe in as they grow up. You don’t want to take any risks when your child’s health is at stake, so here are some common indoor air pollutants and their sources that you should know.
Combustion Pollutants
Combustion pollutants come from certain household appliances such as fireplaces, water heaters, and furnaces. These appliances can release carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other dangerous gases into your home. Such gases can lead to health problems such as throat irritation, respiratory infection, dizziness, and even death. Like radon, these gases are colorless and odorless, which makes them especially hard to detect. If your home does not already have a carbon monoxide detector, install one right away to keep yourself and your family safe!
Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas that is generated in soil and comes into homes through the ground. Radon can cause diseases such as cancer. Radon is invisible and unscented, so you will not be able to detect it unless you specifically test for it. Therefore, if you suspect that radon pollution exists in your home, make sure to perform a test.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are found in many home elements, including paints, cleaning supplies, the varnish or finish of your furniture, and pesticides. When these compounds evaporate, they contaminate the air in your home and can lead to serious health problems for members of your family.
Smoke
Indoor smoke from fireplaces, cooking, candles, or the use of tobacco products in the home can also decrease the quality of your indoor air. When inhaled, smoke can aggravate any preexisting breathing problems, such as asthma. Children are especially susceptible to respiratory conditions that are caused or worsened by smoke, so make sure your home is well ventilated and keep the amount of smoke in your home to a minimum.
Mold and Pollen
Mold and pollen are two common types of allergens that are often present in the home, especially from spring to fall when plants are in bloom. These types of air pollutants are not so much a danger as they are an annoyance, but they do cause issues such as a runny, stuffy, or itchy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, and an irritated throat. If you or one of your children struggles with seasonal allergies, you’ll want to do everything in your power to keep these indoor pollutants to a minimum.
Now that you’ve learned about these common indoor air pollutants and their sources, be sure to watch out for them in your home. If you become aware that one of these pollutants is an issue in your home, take measures to improve your home’s air quality. Taking steps to do so is not hard, and you won’t regret making your home an even safer environment for yourself and your kids.
