5 Sources of Major Pollutants that Ruin Your Home's Air Quality

You may think of pollution as an outdoor hazard, but the truth is that the air inside your McAllen home can be over twice as polluted as outdoor air. Learn about the major sources of indoor air pollution to keep your home and family safe.

McAllen, TX air-quality-services

Smoking

Many people don't realize the extent to which smoking diminishes the air quality in your home. Burning tobacco releases thousands of chemical compounds, hundreds of which have been shown to be harmful to humans. Even after a cigarette has been put out, chemicals linger on surfaces inside your home, contributing to asthma, lung problems and even cancer.

Pressed Wood

Are you trying to save money on furniture by purchasing the cheap stuff? Don't. Furniture made from pressed wood can release formaldehyde, a colorless gas that can bring on symptoms like nausea, watery eyes and difficulty breathing. Formaldehyde is also a known carcinogen.

Household Products

A clean McAllen home isn't always a healthy home. Volatile organic compounds in common household products such as disinfectant, paint, wax and varnish can pose health hazards when inhaled, causing symptoms such as dizziness, memory impairment and even respiratory distress. Makes sure to use these products in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets. Or opt for green products when possible to decrease the number of harmful chemicals in your home.

Heating Equipment

The equipment you use to heat your home, such as furnaces, gas stoves, fireplaces or chimneys, can be sources of carbon monoxide, among the most dangerous of indoor air pollutants. Unlike some of the other pollutants mentioned, carbon monoxide has the potential to kill you quickly, so keep your heating equipment properly and professionally maintained. In addition, make sure you invest in a carbon monoxide detector to keep this dangerous chemical from catching you unaware.

Leaky Air Ducts

One sneaky source of indoor air pollution is leaky air ducts. Air ducts move air through your home, but a leaky duct can carry contaminants from a little-used part of your home such as an attic into your main living area. Indicators of leaky air ducts include dust upon activation of your heating and cooling system, a high energy bill and hot or cold spots in your home. Make sure to have your leaky air ducts professionally sealed to combat this source of indoor air pollution.

Stop ruining the air quality in your McAllen, TX home. Call All Valley Plumbing today at 956-622-5813 to get further insight and assistance on this issue.