We spend a lot of time in our homes, so it comes as no surprise that the quality of the air we breathe can affect our health. Everything from our pets to our appliances to the products we use can add to the pollution in our air. Below is a list of 10 indoor air pollution facts that we put together to raise awareness about the importance of good indoor air quality in St. Louis area homes.
10 revealing indoor air pollution facts
- On average, people spend 90 percent of their time indoors.
- Because of the effects of sick house syndrome the air inside your home can be 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside.
- The EPA ranked indoor air quality in the top 5 most dangerous environmental threats to the public.
- According to the American College of Allergists, 50 percent of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
- There are three types of indoor air contamination: particles, germs, and gasses. Each of these is equally responsible for increasing symptoms of asthma, allergies, and other ailments.
- Certain types of household products increase the amount of pollution in our air, including perfumes, hair sprays, air fresheners, cleaning chemicals, paints, and stains.
- Dust mites, one of the most common allergens in our indoor air, can be found in bedding, pillows, blankets, carpets, furniture, and even toys.
- Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals and is the cause of about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in nonsmokers.
- The short term health effects of indoor air pollution include sore eyes, burning in the nose and throat, headaches, flu symptoms, and worsened symptoms of asthma and allergies.
- Indoor air pollution is severely worsened in the presence of dirty or low-quality air filters.
If you have any questions about these indoor air pollution facts, or if you’d like a new air filter or air cleaner for your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
