Four Reasons Why Checking Your Home’s Air Quality Is Important

Have you ever gone to visit a friend or relative and, from the second you cross the threshold, you become aware of a very distinct smell in their home? Nine times out of 10, whatever the source of the smell is, it’s doing more than affronting your nostrils—it’s affecting the quality of the air you breathe. Odor is often a good indicator of poor air quality, but it’s usually one of the last ones you’ll notice. We often become so used to the smells of our own home that we can’t tell when something is amiss. You may be breathing in mold, mildew and other air pollutants every day and not even know it.

As a mold prevention expert in Portland, OR, we are often surprised by the fact that many people have lived in their homes for decades without ever having formally checked the air quality in their home. It’s one of those things that most people don’t think about until they either see or smell the problem, and by then it’s usually a serious issue. If you’ve never checked the air quality in your home, here are four good reasons why you should.

Asthma and allergies

Are you experiencing sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes? That might not be coming from the air pollutants outside. It might be caused by the air pollutants in your own home. Mold and mildew, along with pet dander and dust, are often the top allergens and asthma triggers inside your home. Testing the air in your home can help you determine if the source of your asthma and allergy symptoms is indoors or outdoors.

Illness

Poor air quality can lead to a variety of other illnesses. Bronchitis, pneumonia and even heart problems and lung cancer have all been linked to poor air quality in some cases.

Odors

Although this is one of the less serious effects of poor air quality, it’s one of the more common ones. Mold and mildew can leave the air in your home smelling musty and dank. Not to mention that mold and mildew can also affect the integrity of your home, weakening the structure over time.

Radon and asbestos

We’re sure you’ve heard of these terms before. Radon and asbestos are both known for causing serious health problems, including cancer. While most newer homes don’t have an issue with these contaminants, many older homes do. Testing the air quality in your home is the only way to know if either or both of these dangerous air pollutants are present.

The air in your home may be two to five times more polluted than the air outdoors, and when you consider the fact that the majority of Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, you can see why checking the air quality in your home is so important to your health and wellbeing. If you are concerned that mold, mildew and other air pollutants may be present in your home, contact Active Mold Control LLC, your mold prevention expert in Portland, OR, today!

Categorised in: Mold Prevention

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