Pollutants, moisture, and ventilation can all impact the quality of air within, and surrounding homes, buildings, and structures. Understanding the causes of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is the first step in identifying the best IAQ solutions for your customers.
“In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.” – cpsc.gov
Causes of Poor IAQ
Pollutant Sources
Indoor pollutants such as building materials, replaces, and gas stoves can all release pollutants continuously. Other sources like smoking, painting, and household cleaning products can cause poor IAQ intermittently.
Moisture Levels
Low or high levels of humidity can cause poor indoor air quality. These levels can be caused by water damage in the home, whether that is excess water in the crawl space or poor ventilation in the bathrooms. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers can help maintain healthy moisture levels in the home.
Inadequate Ventilation
The Environmental Protection Agency says, “If too little outdoor air enters indoors, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can post harmful and comfort problems.” Climate, allergens, and dust are all just a few things that can impact the quality of air in a home when there is poor ventilation.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that a “relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally recommended for homes.” – cpsc.gov
Interested in learning more about Indoor Air Quality and Solutions that are available to the East Coast Metal Distributor’s customer? Download out IAQ Guide for HVAC Contractors HERE.
Source: US Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Product Safety Commission
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IAQ Promotion
IAQ Training Calendar
