Absolutely. Air pollution concentration can be as much as 100 times greater in a building than outdoors. The American Lung Association says that most people spend 90% of their time in a building, making it critical for homeowners to be knowledgeable about indoor air quality (IAQ) in Boise.
Many standard household things create bad indoor air quality, such as:
- Chemicals in parts of carpet, furniture, upholstery and drapes
- Cleaning chemicals
- Paint
- Personal care products
The secure construction of modern residences also contributes significantly to inferior IAQ. Things like weather stripping and storm doors are installed to lower energy costs. However, they also block adequate ventilation by keeping interior air in and outdoor air out. The result may be an accumulation of vapors inside your home.
Poor IAQ can be a direct or indirect cause of various health issues. Medical experts have found that nearly half of all sicknesses are tied or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
Vapors in your home can lead to flu-like symptoms like headaches, nausea and respiratory inflammation. It can also trigger allergies and asthma.
Adequate ventilation also is an important part of bettering indoor air quality, because it decreases the level of indoor pollutants.