Is poor ventilation and bad air quality affecting your health?

Ventilation is the movement of fresh air to and from room, building, or area. So how could bad ventilation be affecting your health?

An average person while resting breathes 11’000 litres of air per day, meaning we inhale a substantial amount of air every day. It is estimated that we averagely spend 90% of our time Indoors, and the levels of indoor air pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels. Even though you can’t see it, the air you are breathing may be doing untold damages to your health and well-being.

Good ventilation plays a crucial role in the pollution levels and the air quality in a room. So, what happens when the air quality is poor due to bad ventilation? Basically, good ventilation brings in clean air and keeps that air moving, discouraging viruses and allergens from spreading. Poorly ventilated rooms have the opposite effect contributing to condensation, dampness and mold growth. Mold produce’s microscopic cells called spores which are very small and spread easily through the air, so if you have mold in your home it’s also in the air you are breathing. Daily exposure to these spores can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. If you have an underlying illness like asthma or emphysema mold can make you quite unwell.

Particulate matter.

As well as mold there are many other microscopic particles flying around in the air we breathe daily. Particulate matter (PM) is what these microscopic particles are known as, these are made up of combined particles from solid or liquid droplets that are so small when inhaled they can go deep into your lungs and may even reach your blood stream. Some of these particles are from dust, dirt, smoke and soot.

Volatile Organic compounds.

Volatile Organic compounds or better known as VOCs effect our air quality just like PM. They are found in many areas of our homes, for instance your daily cleaning products may include bleach, ammonia, chloramines, terpenes. Most of the building materials in the home contain VOCs. For instance, the paint on the walls of your home contain formaldehyde, the carpets in your home contain Benzene and the stove in your sitting room when lit lets off a chemical called Butanal. So, when you use these products, they end up in the surrounding air. If you have a poorly ventilated room, they can stay in the air you are breathing for long periods of time generating poor air quality.

Effects on your health.

Poor air quality has long been linked to long and short term effects on the human body, these include headaches, dizziness and fatigue, asthma, COPD, coronary artery disease, emphysema, respiratory infections, stroke, and cancer. It is also proven that bad air quality over a long period can shorten your life expectancy.

So, what can you do to make sure the air you are breathing is safe?

Avoid cleaning products that have harsh chemical compounds. Use alternative Eco-friendly cleaning products in the home.

Open, unblock or clean your vents and let the air circulate. Good Ventilation is probably the most important in keeping the air quality in your home safe. So open the doors and windows.

Think before you buy when it comes to the furniture and building materials you are putting in your home.

Beeswax candles, Air purifiers and salt lamps are a great way to clean the air in your home.

Monitor your air quality with an air quality monitor. That way you don’t have to worry, you will know exactly what’s in the air your breathing.

Visit MyEcoHub.com and see the vast range of Eco-friendly products that can help your home over come bad air quality.