Now that there is a pandemic, most of the families are staying at home. With the fear of contracting the virus, people limit themselves from going out. A little cough, wheezing, and sneezing could make you overthink. But did you know that you can also catch allergies and other respiratory diseases even in the safe corners of your home? It may be unbelievable, but yes, because of poor air quality and ventilation, you could put your family at risk.
What is indoor air quality? And how do they work?
It is also known as IAQ. It is the process of monitoring and checking the quality of air and air safety inside a building, house or establishment. The air should be healthy, safe and offers comfortability to people who are staying inside. IAQ greatly helps the establishment’s administrators to address possible air pollutants from harming people. And would result in proper ventilation and placement of an air purifier for allergies. That’s why homeowners should ask their landlords about this to ensure their safety against air pollutants.
What are the substances that are considered air pollutants?
Even with just a brief exposure to these substances, it could cause great harm to people. Harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. Aside from these, there are other more factors inside the house that could cause indoor air pollution, such as unregulated waste management, faulty pipelines and poor roof management. That could generate bacteria, moulds, and dust that would eventually result in indoor household pollution and trigger allergies and respiratory diseases. Here are some diseases that are caused by air pollution:
- Cardiovascular diseases: Various studies have recorded almost 34,000 deaths that are related to heart diseases. With just small exposure to harmful chemicals and bacteria, you could develop potentially fatal heart disease. Because the air you are breathing in doesn’t just go inside of your lungs, but it goes to your heart as well.
- Lung Cancer: Approximately there are 7,300 deaths related to lung cancer. That can either be caused by smoking and second-hand smoking. If you live with a smoker and air ventilation is poor in your room, the tobacco fumes to stay and linger in your room are likely. So, suggestively, you should smoke in an open space to avoid other house members being exposed or place an air purifier to clean the air.
- Respiratory Diseases: Fatal respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia and tuberculosis can also be caused by air pollution. If you have an existing respiratory disease, it could make your symptoms much worse. Such as difficulty in breathing, cough and wheezing.
- Colds and allergies: Bad odour from mismanaged waste and built-up moulds in your house could make the quality of air prone to allergens, especially for those who have a sensitive nose. It could trigger allergies such as allergic rhinitis, sinusitis and could even cause asthma attacks.
To prevent these unfortunate health risks, you should invest in an air purifier for allergies and other potential health risks. You can’t fully control the growth of moulds in your house, but you can control the aftereffects of air pollution on your family members.
Members of your family should feel safe and comfortable inside your homes. So, building a cosy and healthy environment for them is a must.