Common Indoor Contaminants and How to Mitigate Them
Every household is fraught with contaminants. Daily activities like cooking and cleaning introduce particulate matter into your indoor air. If you have pets and children, you will also have more dust, dander, and dirt in your home. These factors are unavoidable and aren’t necessarily an immediate cause for concern. Read on to learn more about the most common contaminants affecting your indoor air quality and how to manage them.
Common Contaminants Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality
The most common contaminants affecting Floridians’ indoor air quality are the following.
- Mold
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Chemical Fumes
- Pet Dander
- Radon
Let’s take a look at each contaminant and how to mitigate their presence in your home.
1. Mold
Mold is common here in Florida. After all, we live on a peninsula. There are thousands of different types of mold and every home has mold present. Problems with mold occur when the indoor concentrations of mold exceed the concentration of mold in the surrounding outdoor environment. Mold needs 3 things to grow and thrive:
- Water
- Food
- Adequate temperatures
Therefore, the best way to prevent mold concentrations from getting out of control in your home or office is to practice regular housekeeping, running your air conditioner, and quickly addressing any water leaks from plumbing, dishwashers, or refrigerators. For example, if you plan to go out of town for an extended period over the summer, make sure you keep your thermostat set at 78F or below.
By keeping these practices as part of your regular routine, you will maintain a healthy indoor air environment and prevent mold from getting all of the necessary ingredients it requires to grow and thrive. For example, mold can easily grow on dusty window ledges, dry wall, and any surface that is either made with or covered by organic matter. Take control of your indoor air quality today by keeping a tidy house!
2. Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that can easily aerosolize or evaporate into the air. VOCs are often emitted by common household products like:
- Paints and solvents
- Air fresheners
- Cleaning agents
- Carpet
- Furniture
- Construction materials
Eliminating or reducing the presence of VOCs in your home or business is a great way to increase your indoor air quality and support your health. Prevent the presence of VOCs by choosing low-VOC products, ensuring your home is properly ventilated, using naturally scented air fresheners, and purchasing only solid metal or wood furniture.
3. Chemical Fumes
Chemical fumes from cleaning products and car exhaust from your garage reduce your home’s indoor air quality. Ensure that your home is fitted with a carbon monoxide detector. Some of these chemicals are odorless and can only be detected with specialized equipment.
Again, if you’re minimizing the presence of VOCs in your home or office, you’re subsequently going to limit the introduction of chemical fumes. Make sure your HVAC system is outfitted with a robust filter that also treats for the presence of chemicals.
4. Pet Dander
Fido is great to have around the house but he also comes at a cost to your home’s indoor air quality. Cats and dogs shed hair and release dander. These often accumulate as dust and give mold a source of food for growth. Moreover, these contaminants become aerosolized and can affect your respiratory system and cause allergies for some.
Installing hardwood floors, LVP, and other smooth surfaces besides carpet will go a long way toward minimizing contamination from pets and will allow for easier housekeeping. Make sure to regularly change your HVAC system’s air filter as well. Depending on the model you have, filters should be changed every 1-6 months if you have pets in the home. You can also look into getting hypoallergenic pets like poodles or hairless cats.
5. Radon
Last but certainly not least is a common contaminant like radon. Radon is a type of radioactive gas that is colorless, tasteless, and occurs naturally. It forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon enters buildings through cracks in our floors, foundations, walls, and other openings.
Long-term exposure to radon increases your risk of lung cancer. Therefore, it’s a major health concern. The best ways to mitigate radon include the following.
- Testing
- Mitigation systems
- Sealing and ventilating
- Professional consultation
Since radon is impossible to detect through our natural senses, professional consultation is a must if you suspect you’re dealing with radon.
Flo-Air, LLC Is Jacksonville, FL’s Premier Indoor Air Quality Testing Specialist
If you live in Jacksonville, FL, Gainesville, FL, Ocala, FL, St. Augustine, FL or the surrounding areas, our experienced team is your go-to expert for indoor air quality testing.
We use specialized equipment and our years of experience to provide you with the tools you need to make informed decisions regarding the health of your home. Flo-Air provides tailored air quality reports with a rapid turnaround time.
Reach out to us today at (904) 207-9090 for all of your indoor air quality testing needs!