Allergens happen and indoor air pollution can be a serious problem in St. Cloud Minnesota. Indoor pollutants can pop up anywhere and are one of the major causes for creating health problems and symptoms as well as the overall decreasing of indoor living quality.
There are ways to better the quality of your home’s air and we’ll get into how to manage and handle each problem as we discuss it specifically. First and foremost, proper ventilation and a high-quality, working HVAC system are essential to improving the quality of air in your home. Without a good air system, allergens that commonly cause issue with indoor air quality are able to run rampant. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get right into it.
5 Common Causes for Allergens Indoors and Poor Air Quality
Dust – Literally impossible to escape and present in every environment, dust is by far the most common allergen found in even the smallest houses. There a lot of people that are allergic to dust mites. Dust mites are near microscopic organisms that feed on the commonly found particles of material that compose common household dust. This is also considered by many to be one of the most difficult allergens to deal with and control.
In order to solve the problem of dust, keep your home clean. Begin with vacuuming on a regular basis and dust regularly. Make sure and vacuum and dust all the hard to reach areas like under furniture, along baseboards and on top of shelves and book cases. Change the HVAC system’s air filter on a regular basis or have a professional do so monthly to keep dust and mites at a minimal and controlled.
Mold – Mold is a result of too much moisture accumulating in an area of the home. Typically it’s due to some type of leak and is oftentimes found in bathrooms, under sinks, in crawl spaces, and the basement of a home. Mold can be very dangerous and toxic to humans and pets. Black mold for instance has known to cause fatal respiratory illnesses in some cases and is considered extremely dangerous. Symptoms of mold inhalations (caused by spores) include breathing problems, allergy symptoms and other unwanted medical conditions.
To eliminate mold wipe the affected area with bleach immediately. Make sure and wear a dust mask and eye protection to inhibit the spores from entering the body. Also, if any leaks are present, have a professional fix them and make sure the area is kept clean and dry at all times. Without sealing the leaks you’ll the mold will likely return time and time again.
Pet Dander – Even though pets are a part of the family they are still one of the 5 leading causes for poor indoor air quality and allergies in family members. Symptoms of pet dander include sneezing, dry throat and eyes, runny noses, headaches and skin irritation. It’s very difficult to eliminate pet dander completely without removing the pets, but with proper care we can keep it to a minimal in our home.
In order to avoid excess pet dander, pets should be brushed and washed regularly. You’ll also want to vacuum on a regular basis and avoid letting pets on upholstered furniture. You’ll want to vacuum up accumulated hair as soon as possible to stop pet dander from becoming a problem.
Pollen – Pollen is common outdoors but can also make its way inside the home. Pollen is caused from trees and vegetation that is reproducing and will cause similar symptoms of pet dander in most people. Sinus headaches are commonly associated with pollen and can be quite debilitating when left untreated.
To secure the home from pollen accumulation it’s important to take the needed steps. Springtime is the most notorious time of year when it comes to pollen and during spring months it’s best to leave shoes outdoors to keep from tracking in the pollen. Also, windows should be closed as often as possible, specifically on windy days when the pollen is likely to be blown into the home.
Pests – Pests are one of the largest contributing factors to poor air quality and allergens entering our home. Roaches, mice and rats are all common problems but unbeknownst to many they are also responsible for causing allergies and spreading diseases.
Pests are hard to get rid of without professional help. Making sure the home is kept clean, food is sealed properly, garbage is taken out frequently, and the use of an exterminator are all methods to help keep pests to a minimum.
The Bottom Line On Handling Common Indoor Allergen Causing Substances
Taking the right measures on your end is only part of the solution. Along with proper care, treatment, and cleaning, a high-quality ventilation system and A/C – HVAC system with proper air filtration in place is also a necessity in eliminating common allergens that lower air quality in the home. To get help with your home’s air system and improve the quality of air, please contact us.
Description: These are the five top reasons indoor air quality is poor complete with solutions to eliminating them and a call to action for contacting HSHeating.
