You’ve heard the term, out of sight, out of mind? Because we can’t usually see bad air particles, we assume it’s all clear. The air quality inside our home can be up to 10 times more polluted than outside because we tend to keep things closed up when the weather isn’t ideal. Your air conditioning system will only stir up and circulate bad air unless you have a good filtration system to remove these unseen particles. Wonder why your having irritating health issues, you may want to check out these ways poor air quality can effect your health.
The effects of indoor air pollutants range from short-term effects – eye and throat irritation – to long-term effects – respiratory disease and cancer. Exposure to high levels of some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, can even result in immediate death. Also, some indoor pollutants can magnify the effects of other indoor pollutants. Based on cancer risk alone, scientists have ranked indoor air pollution as one of the most important environmental problems.
Common symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
Symptoms of poor indoor air quality are very broad and depend on the contaminant. They can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other illnesses such as allergies, stress, colds and influenza. The most common symptoms are:
- watery eyes
- upper respiratory congestion
If you notice relief from your symptoms soon after leaving a particular room or building, your symptoms may be caused by indoor air contaminants.
Respiratory Health Effects
- Rhinitis, nasal congestion (inflammation of the nose, runny nose)
- Epistaxis (nose bleeds)
- Dyspnea (difficulty of breathing or painful breathing)
- Pharyngitis (sore throat), cough
- Wheezing, worsening asthma
- Severe lung disease
More Severe Health Effects
- Conjunctival (eye) irritation
- Fever, chills
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat, sometimes leading to shortness of breath)
- Headache or dizziness
- Lethargy, fatigue, malaise
- Nausea, vomiting, anorexia
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
- Hearing loss
Maintaining your Air conditioning unit(s) throughout the year is very important. We recommend an air conditioning maintenance on your system at least twice a year, once before summer and once before winter. Call us today to book a service on your Air Conditioning system today. Begin enjoying safer, healthier air from now on!