Are you feeling ill? Maybe you have low energy levels or can’t seem to shake a case of sinusitis. If these issues persist in your life, it could be due to the air quality in your area or your home. Can bad air quality make me feel sick? How can I improve the air quality in my home and rectify the situation?
Can Bad Air Quality Make Me Feel Sick?
Air Pollution & Indoor Air Quality
Air pollution is a huge problem in American cities, with several influencing factors. Your location, local industry, and the environment are the primary drivers of air quality. For instance, if you live in a town next to a coal-fired power plant, you’ll get exposure to airborne particulates that diminish air quality.
If you live in a dry region, dust storms kick particulate matter into the air you breathe. The annual pollen dump reduces air quality in areas with pollinating trees, such as cedar. The outdoor air ends up inside your home, where other factors further decrease air quality.
Reasons for Poor Air Quality in Your Home
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, levels of indoor pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor pollutants. Some factors contributing to indoor air pollution include animal dander, dust mites, cockroach or rodent feces, and infectious agents like bacteria and viruses in HVAC units or ventilation systems.
Even a well-kept home can fall victim to low air quality, resulting in sickness and ill health in residents. Common factors reducing indoor air quality include rising dampness and moisture that cause mold growth and respiratory problems. Remodeling or construction activities can also kick up dust and contribute to poor air quality indoors.
What are the Adverse Health Effects of Poor Air Quality?
Poor air quality in the home adversely affects our health. The biggest concern of poor air quality is fungal and bacterial agents entering the air column. Mold spores grow out of view in many cases. The spores might infest HVAC systems or grow in dark basements, entering the air circulating through the home.
The microscopic spores are invisible to the naked eye, making the house smell musty. When we breathe in fungal spores, it causes the onset of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Some mold species are more toxic than others.
For instance, black mold is highly pathogenic, leading to the beginning of mold sickness in individuals exposed to airborne spores. Some symptoms associated with mold sickness or overexposure to air pollutants like dust include the following.
- Wheezing and coughing
- Watery eyes
- Rashes on the skin
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Headaches
- Congestion in the upper respiratory tract
Poor indoor air can also lead to the onset of severe health issues such as the following.
- Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
- Rhinitis and nasal congestion (runny nose)
- Dyspnea (Difficulty breathing or chest pain when breathing)
- Pharyngitis (sore throat)
- Worsening of asthma symptoms and attacks
- Lung disease/lung cancer
- Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
- Fever and chills
- Tachycardia (shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat)
- Feelings of malaise (You know something wrong but don’t know what’s causing it)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hearing loss
- Myalgia (muscle pain)
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) states indoor air quality can adversely affect our health and ability to live our lives. If you notice any symptoms of mold sickness or poor air quality impacting your health, visit an urgent care clinic near you. They can diagnose you and recommend treatment to prevent the progression of mold sickness or poor air quality in the home.
How to Improve Air Quality in Your Home
Residing in an area or living in a home with poor air quality impacts our health directly, creating an environment that lowers our quality of life. The local environment isn’t always the only factor determining indoor air quality.
In many cases, our lifestyle affects the air quality in our homes. Ensuring you regularly vacuum your home controls air pollutants like dander and dust mites. Checking for mold growth during the rainy season and removing infestations prevents mold from spreading throughout the house.
If your home has high humidity, buy a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture. Have your central heating and air conditioning system serviced and cleaned annually to remove any particulate buildup or pathogens lurking in the ducting or filters.
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