An Intro to Indoor Air Quality in Under 10 Minutes

Why do people think that air pollution can only be experienced outside when indoor air pollution can also occur if your house is not properly taken care of?

People tend to spend a large amount of time indoors without caring about the air they are breathing. However, little did everyone know that indoor air quality is strongly attached to their health and well-being. Studies show that air pollution concentrations of some pollutants are two to five times higher indoors compared to outdoor concentrations.

We all know what happens when we breathe in polluted air, right? That’s why breathing in air that’s free from health-threatening pollutants is important to have a higher quality of life, a lower risk of respiratory illnesses, and a reduced risk of various chronic conditions. If you still want to learn more about indoor air quality, you are in luck! We at Burgos Cleaning compiled a few things you need to know about indoor air quality.

What Affects Indoor Air Quality?

Combustion byproducts

Combustion byproducts that are harmful such as carbon monoxide reduce the ability of your blood to carry oxygen. Combustion byproducts can be the results of tobacco, wood and coal heating, cooking appliances, or fireplaces. 

Biological Agents

Biological Agents (Mold) often lead to airborne contaminations and allergens. Moreover, if they are kept long enough they might start spreading to your air ducts and quickly worsen your indoor air quality.

Hazardous Air Pollutants and Volatile Organic Compounds

Pesticides, lead, and asbestos are all considered hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) which gravely affect a person’s health condition if inhaled for a long period of time.

Air Exchange Rate

Air Exchange Rate is crucial in determining the concentration of air pollution indoors. This is affected by the structural design and functionality of the building since it serves as an infiltration system, natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation.

Climate and Weather Conditions

Outdoor Climate and Weather Conditions influence human behavior indoors. The present climate or weather conditions allow them to choose if they would keep the windows open or closed or if they would use air conditioners, humidifiers, or heaters–all of which influence indoor air quality. Additionally, certain climate conditions allow indoor moisture to occur, making it possible for molds to grow.

Ways to Reduce Levels of Pollutants Indoors

  • Avoid smoking indoors
  • Try to limit the use of any combustion source (tobacco, wood, and coal heating, etc.)
  • Follow proper instructions on cleaning products
  • Maintain humidity level between 35 and 50%
  • Keep windows and doors closed (especially if you’re located in a city or a polluted area)
  • Use proper seal windows and doors with weather stripping
  • Set a ventilation system

What is Ventilation?

Ventilation is one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality. This is a system that allows fresh outdoor air into a space. It is mainly used to control indoor air quality, especially in offices since opening the windows might cause a disturbance to others. Other than bringing fresh air inside the building, it also allows indoor air pollution to reduce in concentration since indoor air can go out through the system. That is why it is important to have a good ventilation system. Below are some of its major benefits:

  • It reduces the amount of indoor air pollutants by allowing poor indoor air quality to go out.
  • It limits the buildup of indoor moisture, even if you use air conditioners the whole day. As a result, mold growth would be avoided.
  • It allows fresh outdoor air to come inside without the need of opening the windows. Removing the stale indoor air you’ve been inhaling for the last hour.

Tips to Maintain and Improve Indoor Air Quality

Install CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarms

Detecting carbon monoxide using your human senses is almost an impossible task, and what better way to know if you and your employees are in danger other than CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarms? These devices will warn you the moment it detects CO levels are rising, allowing you to exit the building in time before any damage is done to your body.

Allow natural air in by opening your windows and/or doors

Different factors affect your indoor air quality such as appliances, carpeting, and furniture. That’s why allowing natural air to flow inside gives you natural ventilation that helps in reducing indoor air pollutants. Also, it affects the room’s humidity and makes it impossible for mold growth.

Leave interior doors open

This allows air to flow from one room to the other freely. As a result, you get to avoid a large concentration of air pollutants in one place that might trigger serious health and safety problems, especially when you are using chemical products.

Use air purifiers that are equipped with HEPA filters.

Air purifiers function the same, they help in reducing the amount of air pollutants inside. However, some do not remove most airborne particles that might worsen a person’s allergies. That is why acquiring one with a HEPA filter provides more benefits since HEPA filters remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, bacteria, and most air pollutants.

Regularly replace your air filters

Air filters will be clogged after using them a couple of times. Clogged air filters allow more dirt and debris to be trapped within the system, making it work harder and might result in a shortened lifespan.

Get indoor plants

Plants, no matter the size, are considered natural air purifiers that absorb toxins from the air. However, be sure to always check on your indoor plants for mold growth that might happen if you don’t pay them any attention.

clean office air duct

Clean and disinfect your HVAC Air Ducts regularly

Your HVAC Air Ducts are responsible for cold and hot air to circulate in your entire building. You might be surprised at how unclean air ducts can affect both your office and your employees’ health. A newly cleaned air duct functions more efficiently since the dirt and debris it has accumulated have been removed.

Most of us are concerned about indoor air quality since inhaling polluted air can cause various serious illnesses. However, air ducts are hard to reach and require skilled workers to clean. When you need your ductwork cleaned, it is important to call a company that provides professional, thorough air duct cleaning services with a pricing policy you can trust.

At Burgos Cleaning, we ensure that your office is in top condition, creates a comfortable working environment, and would pass all health and safety standards. We offer our services in Middlesex, New Haven, and New London County Connecticut, and provide numerous office cleaning services on the commercial level from small businesses to big buildings and complexes. Contact us now to avail the best office cleaning services in town!