Absolutely. Air pollution levels can be as much as 100 times worse indoors than outdoors. The American Lung Association says that many people spend 90% of their time indoors, making it critical for homeowners to be knowledgeable about indoor air quality (IAQ) in Hurricane.
Many regular household items contribute to inferior indoor air quality, such as:
- Chemicals found in carpet, furniture, upholstery and drapes
- Cleaning products
- Paint
- Personal care products
The tight construction of modern residences also contributes significantly to bad IAQ. Things like weather stripping and storm doors are designed to decrease energy bills. However, they also prevent proper ventilation by keeping indoor air in and exterior air out. The result could be a buildup of fumes in your residence.
Bad IAQ can be a direct or indirect source of various health problems. Medical experts report that up to half of all ailments are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
Pollutants inside your residence can cause flu-like sickness like headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation. It can also worsen allergies and asthma.
Adequate ventilation also is an important part of improving indoor air quality, since it decreases the amount of indoor pollutants.