Absolutely. Air pollution concentration can be as much as 100 times higher in a building than outdoors. The American Lung Association found that many people spend 90% of their time inside, making it critical for homeowners to be knowledgeable about indoor air quality (IAQ) in Kitchener.
Many common household things lead to poor indoor air quality, such as:
- Chemicals in parts of carpet, furniture, upholstery and drapes
- Cleaning chemicals
- Paint
- Personal care products
The snug construction of new homes also contributes greatly to poor IAQ. Fixtures like weather stripping and storm doors are created to decrease utility costs. However, they also prevent proper ventilation by keeping indoor air in and exterior air out. The result could be a buildup of vapors in your house.
Bad IAQ can be a direct or indirect source of several health problems. Medical groups have determined that nearly half of all illnesses are linked or irritated by indoor air pollution.
Pollutants in your home can create flu-like illness such as headaches, nausea and respiratory sensitivity. It can also worsen allergies and asthma.
Proper ventilation also plays an important role in enhancing indoor air quality, because it reduces the amount of indoor pollutants.