Absolutely. Air pollution levels can be as much as 100 times higher indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association found that the majority of people spend 90% of their time in a building, making it crucial for homeowners to know about indoor air quality (IAQ) in Philadelphia.
Many regular household items cause poor indoor air quality, such as:
- Chemicals found in carpet, furniture, upholstery and drapes
- Cleaning sprays
- Paint
- Personal care items
The tight construction of today's homes also contributes significantly to bad IAQ. Fixtures like weather stripping and storm doors are made to lower energy costs. However, they also prevent proper ventilation by keeping indoor air in and outside air out. The result can be an increase of fumes in your residence.
Bad IAQ can be a direct or indirect cause of various health issues. Medical professionals report that up to half of all ailments are tied or worsened by indoor air pollution.
Vapors in your house can result in flu-like symptoms including headaches, nausea and respiratory sensitivity. It can also worsen allergies and asthma.
Enough ventilation also is an important part of improving indoor air quality, as it lowers the amount of indoor pollutants.