Indoor air quality in residential areas is the matter that draws a lot of attention, and it is for a good reason. The quality of air in the indoor environment can have a great impact on the health and comfort of the building occupants. While cases of chronic illnesses associated with indoor air quality are uncommon, the possibility that poor indoor air quality can lead to deteriorated health is a cause for concern among many building occupants.

The sources of poor indoor air quality are many: some are complex and hard to understand, but others are so basic that everyone needs to know about them so as to effectively combat the issue of bad air quality. If you are a homeowner, here is a look at some common pollutants you should keep out of your indoor environment.

Dust

Dust is the most common but also the most overlooked pollutant in many buildings. In fact, some people think it is perfectly normal to have dust circulating in their homes. They only do something when the dust starts to look excessive. The main problem with dust is that it can build up in your interior furnishings, such as carpets, furniture, curtains and blinds, and you won't even realise it! Make sure your indoor space is vacuumed on a regular basis to get rid of the dust in your furnishings. Also, make sure to wipe up any dusty appliances, as they will circulate dirty air indoors when they are running.

Toxic cleaning chemicals

Ironically, some of the cleaning chemicals that homeowners use to clean their interiors are actually sources of airborne pollutants. These cleaning products may contain toxic vapour or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful when exposed to your indoor air. Therefore, be sure to read the chemical composition of your cleaning products before picking them from the shelf.

Tobacco smoke

Tobacco manufacturers often warn smokers that tobacco consumption is harmful to human health. That is why tobacco smoking is generally prohibited in most workplaces. However, many residential building occupants continue to contaminate their indoor air with tobacco smoke because occupational health and safety laws do not apply to their property. While you reserve the right to smoke on your property, keep in mind that tobacco smoke endangers the health of non-smokers as well, including your small children. Whenever you feel like puffing some tobacco smoke, kindly do it outside the house.

For more information and assistance, contact your local air quality services today.

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