5 Sources of Major Pollutants That Ruin Your Home's Air Quality
Ensuring that the air in your St. Michael home is safe to breathe is one of the most important aspects of home maintenance, and keeping contaminants from entering the environment in the first place is your best defense against poor indoor air quality. Keep your home safe and healthy by stopping these five common air pollutants at the source.
1. Tobacco Smoke
Making your home a smoke-free zone is the easiest way to safeguard your family from the more than 40 carcinogenic compounds emitted from the smoke of a burning cigarette, pipe or cigar. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smoking produces more contaminants than can be removed from even the most powerful ventilation system.
2. Radon
Many American homes are built on soil that contains uranium, which emits a radioactive gas called radon as it breaks down. Radon gas can enter your home through cracks in wall and floors and through openings like drains and sumps. Because radon exposure can lead to lung cancer, it's important to test your home to determine if the gas is present.
3. Mold and Mildew
St. Michael homes with relative humidity levels higher than 50 percent become breeding grounds for biological contaminants like mold, mildew and bacteria. Undetected plumbing leaks, water-damaged materials and leaking roofs promote the growth of mold as well. To protect your family from respiratory problems, any type of water intrusion should be addressed as soon as possible.
4. Combustion Gases
Fuel-burning heaters, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces all produce byproducts that can pose health dangers to your family if the substances aren't safely vented outside. In addition to installing carbon monoxide detectors, scheduling regular maintenance for your combustion appliances helps keep your family safe from fire and deadly gases.
5. Household Chemicals
From cleaning products and scented candles to paints, glues and varnishes, many household items off-gas chemicals that can have a detrimental effect on your family's health. Because even closed containers of these products can emit gases, it's important to store them properly in a safe place. You can also reduce your exposure by purchasing limited quantities and by ensuring that the places where you use them are well ventilated.
Source control is the most effective way to protect your family from the harmful effects of indoor pollution. If you suspect water intrusion is impacting the health of your home, call your trusted plumbing company to identify the source of the moisture and resolve the problem.
Stop ruining the air quality in your St. Michael, MN home. Call B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C today at 763-497-2290 to get further insight and assistance on this issue.