Prevention and control of indoor air pollution

Due to the energy efficiency measures that are prevalent today, such as increased insulation, tightly constructed spaces, and inadequate ventilation, many indoor air quality issues have arisen.

When there is a reduced amount of fresh air circulating in a building, the indoor environment becomes conducive to the accumulation of toxic substances.
Other factors that are known to contribute to indoor air pollution may have something to do with the design of your HVAC system, the use of materials in the manufacture of products, as well as the furniture that occupants bring into the building.

In this article, we’ll look at some effective tips on how to reduce indoor air pollution, which, in turn, will help prevent serious health complications.

Tips for prevention and control

Here are six steps you should take to prevent and control indoor air pollution that can occur due to the factors we have listed above:

1. Perform an indoor air quality test

The only way you can detect the presence of pollutants in your indoor spaces is by conducting an air quality test. Professional indoor air monitoring can help you determine if there are contaminants like radon (a natural gas) inside your home and commercial spaces.

2. Improve ventilation

Since insufficient ventilation can affect indoor air quality, you should consider installing a ventilation system in your kitchen or bathroom so that stale air and excess moisture can escape to the outside. Talk to your HVAC provider about installing a ventilation system that removes stale air from your home and circulates fresh air indoors.

3. Use high-quality air filters

If you use fiberglass air filters, you should know that they will not protect your interior spaces from harmful pollutants. You should invest in high-quality pleated filters with at least a 5-8 minimum efficiency report value, as they will not protect the oven from dirt, but will also trap smaller particles from entering your home.
Also, remember to change your air filters every three months if there is a lot of pet dander and other indoor pollutants.

4. Reduce the use of chemical and toxic substances

You should also take steps to reduce the use of chemicals as much as possible. Always study labels before purchasing chemicals and be sure to store these products away from their occupied spaces. Another thing to do is air out your dry-cleaned clothing before bringing it inside.

5. Install an air cleaner or ionizer

You can also invest in a whole building air filter and ionizer that will ensure that the indoor air remains clean and healthy for the inhabitants.

6. Keep the house plants

It is also recommended that you keep certain species of potted plants around the house that will absorb harmful pollutants. Some of the best include Gerbera Daisy, English Ivy, Spider Plant, and Peace Lily.

It will not be wrong to say that indoor air quality is a shared responsibility and essentially depends on how well your building’s environmental control system is designed.