How bad indoor air quality can affect your health

Adverse effects of indoor pollution on health

We spend most of our time indoors so naturally, our home needs to be a safe space for us. Air pollution and air quality have always been a matter of great concern. But due to the pandemic and the time we are spending indoors, it is equally important to have excellent indoor air quality (IAQ).

Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Did you know poor IAQ, can have a range of adverse effects on your health?

Headaches and respiratory issues are just some symptoms of indoor air pollution. Poor indoor air quality in offices, schools, gyms can make you sick and lead to sick building syndrome. Other symptoms of poor IAQ include:

• Poor concentration
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Irritation in the eyes, nose or throat
• Blocked nose
• Dry and itchy skin
• Burning sensation in the eyes

Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

• Smoking - Cigarette smoke releases harmful chemicals which can last for hours indoors. It affects the occupants of your home as they are smoking passively and can be at risk of respiratory infections, cancer and other health issues.
• Poor ventilation - Lack of ventilation can reduce the flow of fresh air in your home. It will also increase contaminants, promote mould growth and pollutants indoors.
• Household chemicals - Cleaning agents and deodorisers used indoors can release volatile organic compounds and affect occupants suffering from respiratory conditions.
• Pets - Tiny particles of skin released by pets, also called dander can be a big problem if you suffer from allergies. Dander releases proteins that can trigger allergic reactions.
• Gas appliances - The incomplete combustion of fuel through stoves, water heaters, fireplaces, etc releases carbon monoxide. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases if your home is not properly ventilated. Ensure your home is properly ventilated and the gas appliances are maintained properly to prevent health issues.
• Asbestors - Building materials used before like tiles, shingles, pipes contained asbestos. The asbestos fibres can be released during a home renovation. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer. Asbestos was commonly used as a building material in Australian homes before 1990. Even homes built during the early 2000s may have asbestos materials as the ban came into effect in December 2003.
• Humidity - high humidity levels in homes can promote the growth of mould and mildew especially in bathrooms. Inhaling mould spores can affect respiratory health and cause allergic reactions.
• Flooring - Laminated floors and carpets treated with flame retardants can emit VOCs and deteriorate the air quality in your home.

How to test indoor air quality?

The common air pollutants in homes include:

• Particulate matter - PM2.5 and PM10
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen dioxide

To meet the standards of healthy indoor air, the following conditions need to be met:

• Carbon dioxide level - 1000 ppm
• PM2.5 - 15 ug/m3
• PM10 - 50 ug/m3
• VOC - 500 ug/m3
• Humidity - Between 30-50%

Sensors are used to test indoor air quality which offers real-time readings of the pollutants in your home.

How to improve indoor air quality?

• Indoor plants like Spider Plant, Devil’s Ivy, Peace Lily can filter harmful air pollutants and improve the air quality.
• Proper ventilation will allow fresh air to enter your home and remove the accumulated contaminants.
• Use low VOCs carpets produced from wool, sisal and jute
• Do not smoke indoors
• Use air conditioners to control humidity and purify the air. Air conditioners come with specialised filters which can trap airborne particles, pollens, bacteria, allergens and remove unpleasant odours. We spend 90% of our time indoors so we need to take steps to monitor and improve indoor air quality. A good way to do so is by investing in an aircon with air purification features.

Your air conditioner can make a difference

Air conditioners trap all the microbes but over time they can accumulate in the unit. If the unit isn’t cleaned regularly, the microbes will be released in the air leading to respiratory infections. Therefore, air conditioners need to be cleaned and serviced at least once a year so the filters are able to do their job correctly. Any problem in the aircon should be fixed immediately.

At New Wave Air, we can help with air conditioning installation for your home or office. Leading ac brands like Daikin, Hitachi, Samsung, Mitsubishi Electric offer air conditioners with specialised air purification features. Talk to our HVAC specialists and we can recommend the right model for your needs.

We also service air conditioners to ensure the unit works in optimum condition. For more information on our services, give us a call on 4627 4436 or complete our online enquiry form.