It is a good idea to get your home tested for pollutants whether you have allergies or not. There can be things in your home that are harmful to your health. Here are 7 pollutants that can be found in your home.
You should have the home checked for combustion fumes. One of the most harmful is carbon monoxide. If your furnace is having issues it may leak carbon monoxide which is very harmful and cant been seen, tasted, or smelled. The symptoms are like the flu and if you experience any of them you should get to fresh air and then to the doctor. Your water heater, stove, and fireplace can also leak carbon monoxide. Asbestos is another thing in your home that is harmful. Homes that are older may have insulation in them that have asbestos in it. Asbestos is known to cause lung issues so if it is found have a professional remove it. Radon is emitted from soil and typically is expelled outside. Sometimes it can get through cracks in your basement. Radon is also known to cause lung issues. Volatile organic compounds are another thing you should look for. They get emitted from common household products such as paint, upholstery, adhesives, and plastics. Sometime they give off an odor but others don’t. They can cause multiple health issues. Dander from pets will float around your home. Anyone with allergies can be bothered by this. Droppings from dust mites that can’t be easily seen can also float around causing breathing issues. These can easily be fixed by simple house cleaning. Filters on your HVAC system can also help catch these pollutants. Pesticides are harmful to humans so if you need to eradicate pests from your home try and opt for a chemical free version. Lawn care products can also track inside your home so that is another place to get chemical free too. One of the most common pollutants is mold. It can grow anywhere and it thrives in warm moist areas. This can irritate your breathing and cause respiratory issues for you and your family. Mold can be controlled by controlling humidity and moisture in your home. Mold can also be found in your duct work but Bartlett Heating and Air can take care of that with a duct cleaning and sanitation.
While some of these pollutants are easy to take care of and less harmful, others need professional attention and can be very harmful. You and your family will greatly benefit from having a professional do an indoor air quality test.
