Chewing gum stays in your stomach for seven years.
You’ll get cramps if you swim right after eating.
Cracking your knuckles will cause arthritis.
These are just some of the childhood myths we’ve grown up believing as truth when in fact, they were nothing more than misinformation passed down from generation to generation.
Today, there is a lot of misinformation circulating about indoor air quality. And we’d like to “clear the air” so that you can be informed and breathe as little easier. Read on as we debunk 6 common indoor air quality myths.
1. Air pollution is an outdoor problem.
When you hear the term “air pollution”, do you think of exhaust from vehicles and smoke from factories? Sure, that’s part of it, but pollution is also present in the air inside your home in the form of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cleaning supplies, personal care items, furniture, etc., as well as pollutants that enter our homes from the outdoors. In fact, the air indoors can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air.
2. Indoor air quality doesn’t impact health.
Indoor pollutants and contaminants can cause or exacerbate a wide range of health issues, including allergies, asthma, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and more. Long-term exposure can lead to more serious problems like certain forms of cancer or heart disease.
3. Open the windows to purify the air.
Cracking the windows open can bring in some much needed fresh air and take pressure off your central AC system, but it will do nothing to purify the air inside your home or remove harmful pollutants. Plus, you can end up introducing new pollutants if the air outside is highly contaminated.
4. Air fresheners freshen the air.
Spray and plug-in air fresheners do anything to improve the quality of the air inside your home. At best, they mask odors, and at worst, the chemicals often found in supermarket air fresheners could actually be making the air quality in your home worse by introducing more chemicals into your home. Freshen indoor air with natural products such as baking soda, essential oils, or simply boiling citrus peels or cinnamon sticks in a small pot of water.
5. All HEPA filters are created equal.
HEPA (or high-efficiency particulate air) filters are the most effective option for purifying the air inside a home by capturing tiny particles of dirt, dust, pet dander, hair, and other pollutants. However, make sure you choose one that is tested for minimum efficiency and is able to trap at least 99.97 percent of particles 0.3 microns and larger.
6. You don’t need to change your HVAC filters.
Changing your HVAC filter regularly is one of the easiest things you can do to improve the quality of the air inside your home and help your heating and cooling system operate at peak efficiency. A clogged filter is unable to effectively remove dirt, dust, pet dander, and other allergens and pollutants, and makes the HVAC system work harder to deliver conditioned air. This leads to reduced equipment lifespan, higher energy bills, and more frequent repairs.
At Air Professional Associates, we have multiple ways to improve the quality of the air inside your home. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home consultation and be well on your way to healthier, cleaner, and more comfortable indoor air.