According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends approximately 90% of their time indoors, and that percentage goes up for people who are most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution. Whether at home, at school, in the office, or some other kind of indoor environment, we are predominantly living our lives inside, so the quality of the air we’re breathing in there is extremely important. Especially when you consider that the concentrations of some pollutants can be 2-5 times higher than outdoors.
What Are the Main Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
The EPA has quite a few information resources when it comes to indoor air quality and the common issues we see. Most of the primary pollution sources indoors are ones that release unhealthy gases or particles into the air, made worse by bad ventilation, high heat, and high humidity.
These main pollutant sources include:
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances and byproducts like carbon monoxide
- Tobacco products and smoke from cigarettes, pipes, vapes, etc.
- Building materials and furnishings, including insulation, carpet, upholstery, new cabinetry or pressed wood products
- Household cleaning and maintenance products, including pesticides and paints
- Excess moisture or humidity
- Environmental factors like pet dander, dust mites, mold, etc.
The quality of the air outside can affect the quality inside as well, leaking in from doors and windows, chimneys and ventilation systems. So there is no single direct source to point to when it comes to solving issues of indoor air quality. It takes a solid understanding of the different types of pollutants out there, which ones might be present, and to what degree each one is affecting what we breath.
What Are the Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality?
There are numerous effects that poor indoor air quality can have on our health and wellbeing, depending on the level of pollutants we’re exposed to and how long we’re exposed to it.
Even a single exposure can cause issues like eye irritation, nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. The EPA mentions “sick building syndrome,” which is when multiple people are hit with the same symptoms when they enter a building and then those symptoms disappear after they leave.
For those with chronic lung conditions like asthma, indoor air pollutants can quickly aggravate their symptoms. Some — like dust mites, mold, particulate matter, and tobacco smoke — are called “asthma triggers” and can potentially cause asthma attacks. It can vary a lot between individuals, too, with some people much more sensitive to exposure and other people having more tolerance.
The long-term effects can be even worse, even to the point of serious injury or death in some cases.
- Radon, which forms underground and can enter buildings through structural cracks, is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.
- Secondhand exposure to tobacco or cigarette smoke can also lead to the development of lung cancer.
- Asbestos from old insulation and building materials can get stuck in your lungs for years and develop into a rare cancer called mesothelioma.
- Legionella bacteria, often found in poorly maintained HVAC systems, can cause a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease.
- Airborne allergens can cause flareups in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions.
5 Ways HVAC Technicians Help Improve Indoor Air Quality
Ways to fix and improve indoor air quality are as varied as the pollutants, but the good news is it isn’t something any person or property owner has to tackle on their own. Skilled HVAC technicians are trained the latest heating and air conditioning systems, the most up-to-date environmental regulations, and the tools best suited to the task of ensuring people have clean, quality indoor air. Here are five key topics to discuss with your local HVAC tech.
HVAC Air Filters
Any air filter is better than none, but using MERV 13 or higher is going to give much better results. They’re better able to trap particulate matter, airborne pathogens, mold spores, and pet dander. Ask your HVAC technician about adding a HEPA filter for cases of bad allergies, asthmatics, etc.
Note: Change air filters monthly.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation is one of the top contributors to poor indoor air quality. Proper ventilation not only helps get rid of gaseous pollutants; it also helps bring in fresh oxygen. Talk with your HVAC technician about assessing how well your current system is performing and consider installing a system with demand-controlled ventilation that adjusts airflow based on occupancy and pollutant levels.
Humidity Control
Good indoor air quality depends a lot on the right balance of humidity. Air that is too dry is likely to see an increase in irritants; air that is too moist will contribute to mold growth. The EPA recommends keeping levels between 30-50%, which an HVAC technician can assist with by ensuring you have a properly sized A/C unit, as well as whole-house humidifiers or dehumidifiers depending on the region.
Testing and Mitigation
For chemicals like radon, carbon monoxide, and lead, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re testing for their presence and taking whatever steps necessary to remove them. Radon mitigation often requires depressurizing and sealing faults in a building’s foundation, while your best bet with carbon monoxide is installing multiple detectors throughout the space.
Regular Maintenance
If the HVAC system is like the respiratory system of a building, then an HVAC technician is the doctor, and just like with a doctor, regular checkups are important. Biannual or even quarterly maintenance and assessments can catch small issues before they become large, expensive problems, both for your health and your bank account.
Skilled HVAC/R Technicians Start at VTI
At Vocational Training Institute, we have been educating new generations of skilled HVAC/R Technicians since 2010, using input from industry experts and employers to ready them for the modern HVAC environment. Green technology, energy efficiency, indoor air quality — our HVAC/R Technician Training program is focused and hands-on, readying our students to tackle the latest challenges and trends in the industry. If you’re ready to get started, register with VTI in Phoenix today.
