Air pollution is always a concern when you go outside, especially if you live in a major city like Portland.
What you probably didn’t know is that the inside of your house might just be as dangerous.
Indoor air pollution is a serious problem that poses health risks, especially for people with asthma or allergy concerns.
You are probably wondering what causes indoor air pollution. You’re in luck because that’s exactly what we are going to be looking at!
Smoke Is Always Answer Number One to What Causes Air Pollution Indoors
Smoke can lead to all kinds of problems, from simple irritation to cancer. This can be from smoking in the home or directly outside of it. Smoke can also come from fireplaces and stoves as well.
The best piece of advice is to simply get rid of the problem. Being exposed to smoke for an extended period of time can cause asthma and other serious health effects as well.
Make sure you aren’t allowing anyone to smoke in your home or by your doors and windows. Have your fireplace and stove checked, and ensure they are ventilating properly.
Building and Cleaning Materials
If you live in an older home, you are at a high risk of asbestos exposure.
Even though this product has been banned from widespread use, it can still pop up in houses built before the 80’s and in some paints.
Formaldehyde is a product that shows up in many common items around your house and should be taken seriously.
It can cause serious health effects. Look on this list from the Health and Human Services and make sure you don’t have these products in your home.
Mold
Mold isn’t just a problem when you see it on your bread. It could also be in your home and be polluting your air. Mold will cause health problems when there’s long-term exposure, and mold spores spread easily through the air.
Mold is what causes air pollution if your house is humid or has a lot of damp places in it. Fix any leaks or flooding immediately and check your air conditioning unit and pipes for leaks.
After the extremely wet winter Portland has seen, get a professional to check your ducts to make sure mold isn’t growing there.
Outdoor Sources
Radon can get into your home no matter where you live. It naturally occurs from the decay of uranium that is in almost every soil type. It is a carcinogen that the EPA takes very seriously. Get your house tested for it regularly.
Pesticides and other outdoor sources can get into your house as well. Ensure your home is properly sealed and ventilated to control these substances.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. Oftentimes, deaths occur from its inhalation without people knowing that it’s even there.
There are ways to protect yourself. Ensure you have enough Carbon Monoxide alarms in your home. Also, if there is ANY suspicion of it being in your home, leave immediately and call a professional.
Carbon Monoxide isn’t just a cause of air pollution. It’s what causes air pollution deaths.
We Are Here When Your Family Needs Us
If you suspect that any of these indoor pollutants are in your home, have someone check it out immediately. There is no time to waste when it comes to you and your families health.
We can find out what causes air pollution in your home and take care of the problem in a timely and efficient manner.
We have served the NorthWest since 1975, and have a reputation for honesty and delivering only the best customer service. If you need us, contact us and we will be there to keep your home air pollution-free.
