While we may not be able to visually see the air we are breathing in and that can lead to the assumption that it is clean air, the truth is that there are pollutants floating around in the air we breathe not only outdoors but also in our homes if we do not have a good quality air filtration system in place.
In fact, according to research done by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the air circulating inside your home can be up to 100 times more toxic than the air outdoors. For many, this is very counterintuitive. Let’s delve in and dig a little further.
Indoor air pollution is considered one of the top five public health risks linked to environmental factors.
Thankfully, much of our indoor air pollution is easily remedied by way of home air purification and filtration systems, some of tout allergen reduction as well as bacteria by as much as 99%.
Below are the top three of the most common indoor air pollutants, along with a few reasons as to why their reduction is essential to your respiratory health and quality of life.
Bacteria
Some bacteria are waterborne (mold & mildew) they are caused by excessive moisture in the air. This is a big issue here in Florida. Surprisingly, a large section of the bacteria present is a result of natural human skin shedding. There is far more bacteria present on the surface of human skin than is present in the human body. This bacteria is constantly being spread and distributed throughout the air. While not all bacteria is necessarily harmful, some types, such as Legionella, can cause serious illness for those with long-term exposure.
Allergens
There are two types of allergens. One is mold as we discussed above, whose growth is induced by moisture. If you have a mold allergy it can lead to serious allergic reactions. Black mold, even if you had no allergy, is highly toxic to all humans as well as pets.
The others is natural substances like pet dander and plant pollen. Both cases can trigger asthmatic reactions and allergy symptoms. Toxic black mold poisoning can lead to long term illness and breakdown of immunity.
Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs encompass a variety of chemicals emitted in the form of gases. VOCs can not only be to blame for odors within your home, but they can also be highly toxic. VOCs are extremely common because they are found in thousands of household products from cleaning sprays to pesticides, paint, glue, permanent markers, and even cosmetics all contain organic chemicals as some of their main ingredients.
VOCs build-up in your system after extended periods of time, their presence usually goes unnoticed or ignored until the residents of a home begin to experience health problems.
What NOT to do:
One of the worst things you can do in treating allergens, bacteria, and organic compounds in your indoor air is to treat them with more chemicals.
What to do:
All Day Air Cooling and Heating is proud to offer filtration systems from Fresh-Aire UV®. They are chemical-free and safe to use. These systems are safe and effective at reducing mold, germs, allergens, and odors, foregoing chemicals and instead utilizing UV light to trap and destroy pollutants in their places.
For more information on air purification and filtration systems in Southwest Florida, contact All Day Air today at (239) 357-0727. www.alldayaircooling.com
