4 Sneaky Signs of Pollution Hiding in Your Home

You’ve seen environmental campaigns for reducing air pollution, but have you considered air pollution produced in your own home? Household cleaning products and dust are common offenders, but local climate factors like temperature, humidity, and air circulation also play a major role in air quality. Several health-related symptoms can be an indicator of  pollution in your home. Here are 4 sneaky signs of pollution hiding in your home.

Allergies and Colds

Do you suffer from constant sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes? Do a recurring sore throat and nasal congestion make it hard to speak and eat? It might not be what you’re coming into contact with in public spaces; the air pollution in your home may be to blame.

Dampness stemming from air conditioning leaks or inadequate bathroom ventilation can lead to the growth of an onslaught of microorganisms, including mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and cockroaches. Humidity and poor air circulation can lead to the proliferation of these allergens and infectious agents and put you at constant risk of getting sick.

Asthma

Many allergens borne of humid conditions can also trigger asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and impaired breathing. On the other hand, if your air is too dry, it can aggravate your respiratory system, making you susceptible to other irritating particles in the air, like pet dander and dust. Furthermore, air pollutants like cleaning chemicals, paints, perfumes, and detergents can lead to asthma attacks.

With all of these potential triggers for a respiratory ailment, a straightforward step to reduce air pollution and make your home a safer living space is to hire an HVAC service technician to examine your HVAC system and check your air quality. A technician can carry out maintenance like replacing air filters and repairing your furnace, ducts, or air conditioning unit.

Frequent Headaches

If you’re suffering from headaches, but you’ve already tried getting more sleep, drinking more water, and reducing stress, what else could be the culprit? Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are found in disinfectants, floor polishes, soaps, lotions, and deodorants. Artificial fragrances in air fresheners and dryer sheets can be particularly problematic. Eliminate these sources of pollution. Simple, natural products like hot water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon can get your home clean without exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Dizziness and Nausea

Do you often get dizzy when you stand up from the couch? Some construction materials, including drywall, plywood, pressed woods, carpet, and adhesives, will break down and emit VOCs over time, silently inundating your airspace with chemicals. And that problem is compounded when different chemicals mix. Now that you know, you can be proactive and seek out materials with low emissions.

If you have successive colds or relentless allergies, you might attribute this to the changing seasons or all the people you come into contact with at work, but you should also examine the air quality in your home. Reduce your use of chemicals from cleaning, home improvement, and beauty supplies, and get your HVAC system regularly serviced to regulate your home temperature, humidity, and ventilation.