In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over a couple of the primary air contaminants that may be impacting your indoor air quality. While many think of the indoors as a cleaner area for air, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually says that indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than those found outdoors.
At Wasatch Clean Air, we’re here to ensure your interior air area remains clean and healthy through a variety of services, from air duct cleaning to UV air purification systems and many solutions in between. In today’s part two, we’ll go over a few other contamination sources we help you deal with, including a couple you may not have considered in the past.
Dust and Various Allergens
For many people, dust and dust mites are some of the most frustrating and bothersome air contaminants. This is because they tend to cause or exacerbate various respiratory symptoms, including itching eyes, coughing, sneezing, congestion, headaches and many others.
Now, it’s not technically possible to remove all dust from the air. However, you can reduce it using proper air purification techniques and the right HEPA air filter, which can be tuned to catch dust particles and hold them so they do not linger in your air supply. In addition, consider keeping your temperatures down below 68 degrees Fahrenheit if dust is a problem – dust mites thrive in warmer temperatures.
Temperature
Speaking of temperature, dust mites aren’t the only area it can impact when it comes to your indoor air quality. In fact, did you realize that consistently high temperatures above 70 degrees can actually cause the chemicals inside your home – even in sealed containers in many cases – to begin leaching out and becoming part of the air supply?
Now, there are risks of temperatures that are too low as well. This is especially true during the winter, when shivering or decreased extremity circulation might take place as a result. For the best balance here, we recommend indoor temperatures between 73 and 79 during summer, and right around the 68 degree range during winter.
Humidity
Down similar lines, humidity levels also play a significant role in the presence of various contaminants in the home. Specifically, too high a humidity level – anything above 50% – can lead to mold and mildew formation, specific contaminants that lead to numerous health issues. On the flip side, humidity levels below 30% will lead to throat soreness, dry skin and irritation due to dryness. Either a de-humidifier or humidifier can go a long way toward reversing these effects if you find you’re in the wrong range.
For more on the sources of contamination that may impact your indoor air quality, or to learn about any of our air purification or other services, speak to the staff at Wasatch Clean Air today.
