Though we like to think of our home as an indoor oasis, a place to relax and de-stress after a hard day’s work, the truth is that pollutants can enter our homes from the outdoors and make us sick. From dust to mold, different types of indoor pollutants can start to have an effect on our health after short- and long-term exposure. Below, we’ll discuss some of the signs and symptoms that might indicate your home’s indoor air is making you sick.
Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
Pollutants that are commonly found in the home can cause harmful effects to the body. Though there is no clear idea of what concentrations of these pollutants or periods of exposure will lead to certain health effects, there are some common symptoms that individuals may develop after exposure to pollutants inside the home:
- Coughing and sneezing
- Upper respiratory congestion
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches and dizziness
- Watery or irritated eyes
- Sore throat
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Fevers and chills
- Nausea
- Muscle Pain
These are just a few of the symptoms that may point to indoor air pollution. Many of these symptoms are similar to that of a cold or virus. For this reason, it can be difficult to tell if your indoor air is making you sick or your illness is the result of something else. It’s important to pay attention to your symptoms and when they occur. If your symptoms disappear when you leave your home, this may be a sign that indoor air pollutants are making you ill.
While many of the symptoms above are immediate effects of exposure to indoor pollutants, there can also be long-term health effects of indoor air pollution. These include respiratory diseases, cancer, and heart disease. Again, it may be hard to pinpoint whether your indoor air is making you sick or some other factor. In fact, sometimes your indoor air can be impacting your health without anyone showing symptoms. That’s why it’s important to test your IAQ and take preventative measures to avoid the build-up of contaminants inside your home.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
If you think that your home’s indoor air might be making you sick, you need to get indoor air quality testing to find out what pollutants may be lurking inside your home. The team at O.K. Heating and Air Conditioning performs IAQ testing for area homeowners, and some of the most common issues we find are airborne viruses, dangerous gases, germs and bacteria, and other allergens like pollen, dust, and mold.
Exposing yourself and your family to these indoor air pollutants can potentially make you sick. Identifying IAQ issues in your home and working to fix them through HVAC prevention systems and devices can help you prevent the buildup of these pollutants. The IAQ specialists at O.K. Heating will test your home for common pollutants and then recommend the best HVAC equipment to help you and your family breathe easier.
Call today for Livermore indoor air quality testing: (925) 337-8319.