Indoor Air Quality and Pollution Sources

The air we breathe is essential to our survival. Yet, with every breath we take, we are filling our bodies with potentially harmful toxins and contaminates! Air pollution is one of the top concerns of our nation and the leading cause of many diseases, some of which can be fatal. Without the proper prevention and precautions, our survival will continue to be threatened by toxic, polluted air – both outdoors and inside the home. At Aerus, we've thoroughly researched the sources and dangers of indoor air pollution and developed a series of best practices to improve your indoor air quality at home.

The Unseen Enemy

Indoor air quality is one of the top concerns in the U.S., learn more about sources of pollution, negative health effects and how to test the air quality inside your home. Did you know that the average person spends 90% of their time indoors? That means that the majority of the air we breathe comes from our homes and other indoor settings. Indoor air quality is a growing concern, as it is surprisingly two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed indoor air quality as one of the top five health concerns in the United States. Pollution tends to be highly concentrated in indoor environments, such as your home, due to growing trends in energy-efficient construction and the continuous circulation of contaminants through central heating and air conditioning units. To protect your family, you need to be aware of dangerous indoor air contaminants and their sources and how to prevent the negative health effects than can result.

The most common indoor pollutants include:

  • Asbestos
  • Mold and mildew
  • Lead
  • Radon
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Pet dander
  • Organic chemical compounds
  • Dust mites and dust mite excrement

These pollutants come from a variety of sources, such as:

  • Building materials
  • Dirt and dust
  • Pets
  • Insects
  • Combustion materials
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Heating and air conditioning units
  • Household chemicals, cleaners and pesticides

There are a few simple steps you can take to reduce this type of pollution in your home:

  • Proper ventilation, especially when cooking or using paint, cleaning products or pesticides, can greatly reduce the amount of dangerous and toxic chemicals in the air.
  • Ban indoor smoking from your home and suggest that all guests smoke outside.
  • Make sure your home is inspected regularly and that all heating and air conditioning units are properly maintained to eliminate pollutants such as mold, mildew and carbon monoxide from seeping into your home.
  • Invest in a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration system, which removes 99.97% of airborne particles.