Pollution has routinely been making headlines over the last few decades. Not very long ago, the world was proudly forging through the industrial revolution, constantly advancing to bigger, more-productive factories. At the same time, developers were introducing an endless list of equipment, machinery, and appliances that made work, travel, and life in general a great deal simpler. It didn’t take long for experts to realize that all those modern inventions were taking their toll on the planet.
Contamination has been seeping into Earth’s water supplies, and numerous pollutants have made their way into the air we breathe. As we rapidly deplete our natural resources, the planet’s natural defenses are constantly growing weaker. That means it’s becoming less able to eliminate the contaminants and recover from their effects.
Getting an Inside Perspective
For the most part, concerns over pollutants in the water and air outside have been growing. It wasn’t until fairly recently that people began to realize indoor air was being affected as well. In fact, indoor air can be as much as five times more contaminated than outdoor air. Deteriorating indoor air quality is having a profound effect on our health. Companies like AromaTech are committed to mitigating the problem, but it’s important to fully understand the scope of the issue before you can properly address it.
How Poor Indoor Air Quality Impacts Your Health
Several contaminants are found in indoor air, not the least of which are pollen, pet dander, cleaning chemicals, carbon monoxide from gas appliances, dead skin cells, and smoke. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms are lurking in the air as well, along with mold and mildew spores. Even some types of flooring and furniture give off potentially harmful gases. They can cause a long list of negative health effects.
· Sneezing, Runny Noses, and Stuffiness. Some indoor air contaminants cause symptoms that resemble those of the common cold, such as runny noses, nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and sore throats. This is particularly true of allergens like pollen and pet dander, but other particles can lead to these issues as well.
· Coughing, Wheezing, and Respiratory Issues. Numerous pollutants can work their way into the throat and lungs. There, they can cause excessive coughing, chest pain and tightness, and difficulty breathing. While everyone is vulnerable to those problems, young children, the elderly, and people who suffer from respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and emphysema are often the hardest hit.
· Severe Headaches. Many airborne contaminants can cause severe intermittent headaches. Some can bring about constant headaches that just won’t go away. Instead, they continue to grow worse with prolonged exposure.
· Fatigue. Ongoing exposure to indoor air pollutants may also lead to chronic fatigue. Those pollutants can make your family feel exhausted, lethargic, and uninterested in daily activities. This is often a sign of deeper, more serious problems.
Those are only a few of the issues that may stem from poor indoor air quality. Exposure to contaminants may cause nausea, loss of appetite, and skin rashes. Exposure to some pollutants may even lead to deadly conditions like various types of cancer. Many methods are available for reducing indoor air pollution, such as advanced HVAC filtration systems and standalone air purifiers. Those and other tools can effectively rid your home of dangerous concentrations of contaminants and allow you and your family to breathe easier and feel better.
