The Silent Threat: How Indoor Air Pollutants Impact the Health of Your Home

Posted by Andre & Erika Lacroix on
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Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you seek refuge from the outside world. However, have you ever considered the air quality inside your home? Many people are unaware of the potential risks associated with indoor air pollutants, which can significantly impact the health of your home and, consequently, the health of your family. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various indoor air pollutants, their sources, and the serious health concerns they pose to both your residence and your loved ones.

Understanding Indoor Air Pollutantsnational indoor air quality awareness month

Indoor air pollutants are substances or particles that contaminate the air within your home, potentially leading to health problems. These pollutants can originate from a variety of sources, including building materials, household products, and outdoor pollution that infiltrates your home. The consequences of indoor air pollution are often underestimated, as people spend a significant portion of their lives indoors, especially in modern urban settings.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

Sources: VOCs are emitted by a wide range of products, including paints, cleaning supplies, solvents, and certain furniture and building materials.

Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to VOCs can lead to respiratory irritation, headaches, and, in some cases, more severe health issues, including damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Particulate Matter (PM):

Sources: Particulate matter consists of tiny particles or droplets that can be released from combustion processes (e.g., cooking, heating, and smoking), as well as outdoor sources such as traffic and industrial emissions.

Health Risks: Inhalation of particulate matter can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.

Radon Gas:

Sources: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into homes through the ground. It has no color or odor, making it difficult to detect without testing.

Health Risks: Long-term exposure to radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Radon-induced lung cancer claims thousands of lives each year.

Mold and Mildew:

Sources: Mold and mildew can thrive in damp and humid environments, such as basements, bathrooms, and areas with water leaks or flooding.

Health Risks: Mold spores can cause allergies, and respiratory problems, and exacerbate existing conditions like asthma. Prolonged exposure can lead to more severe health issues.

Tobacco Smoke:

Sources: Smoking indoors releases toxic chemicals and particulate matter into the air. Secondhand smoke from others can also pose health risks.

Health Risks: Tobacco smoke exposure is linked to numerous health problems, including respiratory issues, heart disease, and various cancers. It poses a significant risk, especially to children and non-smokers.

Health Impacts of Indoor Air Pollutants

The health impacts of indoor air pollutants can be severe and wide-ranging. Prolonged exposure to these contaminants can lead to a variety of health problems, including:

Respiratory Issues:

Persistent exposure to indoor air pollutants can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It can also lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

Allergies:

Indoor air pollutants such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores can trigger allergies, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes.

Cardiovascular Problems:

Particulate matter and other pollutants can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Lung Cancer:

Radon gas, a known carcinogen, is a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Tobacco smoke also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Neurological Effects:

Some indoor air pollutants, such as VOCs, can have adverse effects on the central nervous system, leading to headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Skin Irritation:

Certain indoor pollutants can cause skin irritation and rashes, making occupants uncomfortable.

Preventing and Mitigating Indoor Air Pollution

Now that we’ve discussed the impact of indoor air pollutants on health, let’s explore ways to prevent and mitigate these risks:

Proper Ventilation:

Adequate ventilation is essential to dilute indoor air pollutants. Ensure proper ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas with high pollutant concentrations.

Air Purifiers:

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and air purifiers can effectively remove airborne particles and allergens, improving indoor air quality.

Radon Testing:

Test your home for radon gas. If elevated levels are detected, consult a professional radon mitigation service to reduce exposure.

Smoking Policies:

Implement strict no-smoking policies indoors to prevent the release of harmful chemicals from tobacco smoke.

Humidity Control:

Maintain optimal indoor humidity levels to prevent mold and mildew growth. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas and ensure proper ventilation.

Green Cleaning Products:

Choose environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning products to minimize the release of VOCs.

Regular Cleaning:

Regularly clean and vacuum your home to reduce dust, pet dander, and other allergens.

Address Water Leaks:indoor-air-hazards-ez-breathe-3

Promptly repair any water leaks, as they can lead to mold and mildew growth.

Indoor air pollutants can significantly impact the health of your home and your loved ones. Understanding the sources and health risks associated with these pollutants is the first step in mitigating their effects. By implementing preventive measures such as proper ventilation, air purification, radon testing, and humidity control, you can create a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment for your family. Prioritizing indoor air quality is a proactive step toward ensuring the long-term well-being of your home and those who reside in it.

Written by Andre & Erika Lacroix

We are a 2nd generation family owned and operated business that has been working in homes with basements and crawl spaces for over 40 years.  We have been waterproofing and sealing about 500 foundations a month during that time as the largest Waterproofing contractor in the Midwest with 15 locations servicing 8 states.

20 years ago we would seal a foundation and recommend a standard dehumidifier to address the additional water vapor (humidity in the air) inherently found in below grade environments, such as basements and crawlspaces.  Back then, dehumidifiers were the industry standard to help with this problem. However, many of our customers were looking to us as the “foundation expert”, asking…

“What else do you have? I really am not getting results with this messy, expensive dehumidifier. My foundation is dry, walls are dry, floor is dry, so why does it still smell and feel like a basement?” 

We needed to find something better. Our company’s core values include offering world class customer service to every customer, every time.   So, we challenged our Research and Development department to find a real solution for our customers to combat not only the moisture, but also the odors, pollutants and unhealthy environment our customers were concerned about. We found, tested and installed a ventilation product for a period of three years. We private labeled that product as the EZ Breathe Ventilation System. The feedback in those first three years from our customers, as well as our installation crews, did not live up to the standard of quality to be included in our waterproofing process that offered a life time warranty. Once again, we needed something better.

We valued not only the results, but what we were learning from our customers. So, we went back to the drawing board, took matters into our own hands and made quality improvements to that first generation ventilation unit.

Our own EZ Breathe Ventilation System was born…reengineered, redesigned and much improved! We quickly learned that our crews were thrilled with the quality improvements, ease of operation and installation, but more importantly, our waterproofing customers loved the new, improved EZ Breathe unit as well.

Their feedback told us the air in their basements and crawlspaces felt better, but their entire home was benefiting from their EZ Breathe as well. We received countless letters thanking us because their whole house felt different, less odors, fresher air upstairs too, family members were feeling better, needing less allergy medicine, husbands were no longer snoring, children were no longer coughing as much, the home and it’s family were living healthier lives!

It was time for us to move beyond simply offering this innovative technology to just our waterproofing customers. Our passion and commitment to helping people improve their indoor air environments is what drove us to incorporate EZ Breathe Ventilation Systems as an independent company in 2003. We strongly believe that homeowners everywhere deserve a healthy indoor air quality.

We have spent the last 20 years dedicated to learning about the relationship between our home and our health; indoor air quality, the home as a system, building science and how it relates to indoor air quality as well as the challenges our modern day practices pose to the quality of air we breathe in our homes.