As homeowners, we’re constantly seeking ways to keep our living space clean and free of odor. However, some common household items can impact your home’s air quality.
This information can help you make more conscious decisions about products you are using in your home. As a result, you will reap the benefits of a cleaner healthier home for everyone that lives with you.
Common items, that help homes feel fresher but can affect air quality are:
- Cleaning Products
- Cleaning Sprays
- Open Cans of Paint
- Upholstered Furniture
- Scented Candles
- Glue
- Hair Sprays & Products
- Perfumes
- Open Laundry Detergent Bottles
- Air Fresheners
Why do these items affect air quality? They contain Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs. In addition to poor air quality, VOCs can be harmful to your health.
What are VOCs?
VOCs are emitted gases from particular liquids and solids. Common ingredients include chlorine, fluorine, bromine, benzene, and formaldehyde. These compounds have an ability to vaporize easily, and can be harmful to humans that come into contact with them.
How Your Health Can Be Affected
Candles and air fresheners leave your home feeling fresh & clean, but long-term health issues they cause are not as comforting.
Some common symptoms include:
- Eye Irritation
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Skin Reactions
- Nose & Throat Discomfort
Serious side effects include:
- Asthma
- Live & Kidney Damage
- Central Nervous System Damage
How to control VOCs
There are many things that you can do to reduce your exposure, avoid health issues, and fight off VOCs.
- Improve ventilation in your home
- Seal packaging that contains these compounds
- Be mindful of ingredients in products that you use
- Keep products that contain VOCs stored separately from your living space
Air Duct Cleaning Can Help
Even with research, and taking necessary precautions, sometimes it’s not always enough. The air in your home is circulates 5-7 times per day. Over time this can cause harmful buildup in your home’s ductwork.
By having your air ducts cleaned by a professional, you can drastically improve the air ventilation in your home. Keep those pollutants away from lingering in your ductwork and start breathing cleaner air as fall quickly approaches.
