According to statistics, Marco Island, Florida’s air quality is worse than that of 84% of other Florida cities. 

Does that mean it’s better to stay indoors, then?

Not so fast. Air pollution isn’t just a risk you face outside, especially if your home has poor indoor air quality (IAQ). 

But how exactly can exposure to poor IAQ affect you? And is there anything you can do to improve it? 

Keep reading, as we’ve shared the answers in this guide. 

The Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality 

Poor indoor air quality refers to indoor air with high levels of pollutants. The latter includes the following: 

  • Biological contaminants like mold, mildew, bacteria, and viruses
  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 
  • Indoor particulate matter (PM) 
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 
  • Toxic compounds like asbestos, radon, and formaldehyde

Both short- and long-term exposure to these pollutants can lead to acute and chronic health effects. Here are just some of them. 

Skin and Eye Irritation

Airborne contaminants, such as molds, PM, and chemicals, can irritate the eyes and skin. Acute effects may include itchiness and redness. Longer-term exposure may increase one’s risk for skin diseases like acne, dermatitis, and eczema.

Respiratory Diseases 

Indoor air pollution can irritate the respiratory system. Short-term exposure to air pollutants can cause the following:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Wheezing
  • Chest pain
  • Allergy and asthma attacks
  • Respiratory infections

Long-term exposure to poor IAQ can also increase one’s risk for lung cancer.

CO Poisoning 

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that can contribute to toxic air inside your home.

Your indoor air may contain carbon monoxide if you use a poorly vented and ill-maintained gas furnace. Other sources are kerosene heaters, gas ranges, and charcoal or wood-burning appliances.

CO poisoning can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness, confusion, and chest pain. At high enough levels, it can cause comatose and even be deadly.

Heart Disease 

Indoor air with high PM and nitrogen oxide levels can increase your risk of heart disease. These pollutants can cause blood vessels to age early and may contribute to a hastened calcium buildup in the coronary artery.

The problem is that a blocked coronary artery restricts blood flow to the heart and blood vessels. That can increase one’s risk for debilitating, even deadly, heart attacks and strokes.

Cancer 

In the United States, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Next is radon, followed by second-hand smoke.

So, if someone in your family smokes cigarettes inside the house, the toxins in its smoke can mix with indoor air. It then becomes a source of second-hand smoke.

Radon, a naturally occurring gas, may also enter your home through cracks, gaps, and holes. It may then build up in the indoor air, lowering its quality and putting you and your loved ones at risk of lung cancer.

Cognitive Effects 

Researchers discovered a link between PM and NO2 exposure and cognitive impairment. They associate these pollutants with poor memory, attention performance, and executive function. They also found that impaired cognition was more apparent in people who stayed in places with poor ventilation for prolonged periods.

Other Possible Consequences of Poor IAQ 

Over time, poor IAQ may put your home at risk of property damage due to increased mold levels. These microorganisms feed on and break down organic matter like wood and paper. Given enough time, they can cause severe structural damage to your home.

Indoor air pollution also increases your HVAC system’s maintenance needs. For instance, it can clog up your HVAC filters faster and cause foul or musty smells in your AC or furnace. As a result, you’d have to change or wash your filters and clean your HVAC system more frequently.

How to Improve IAQ in Your Marco Island Home

The first step to improving IAQ in your home is to determine its sources of indoor air pollutants. Doing so allows you to take the appropriate steps to control or eliminate them. Proper ventilation and specific technologies can further improve your IAQ.

Source Identification and Control

Some of the most common sources of indoor air pollutants are water leaks caused by faulty AC units and plumbing systems. They contribute to poor IAQ by promoting mold and mildew growth. So, if you have a leaking air conditioner or plumbing component, have it fixed by a professional ASAP.

As mentioned above, fuel-burning appliances are other typical sources of indoor air pollution. You can control their emissions with regular maintenance and by venting their gases correctly.

You should also minimize your use of air fresheners and glass cleaners. These products may contain harmful chemicals and VOCs that can lower your IAQ. Instead of using these, go for non-toxic and eco-friendly cleaning solutions.

Proper Ventilation

Ventilation involves intentionally introducing outdoor air into an indoor space. It can help boost IAQ by diluting and displacing indoor air pollutants. Some strategies include opening doors and windows and using exhaust fans.

You can ventilate your home on days when Marco Island has low outdoor pollution levels. You can check this online via websites that track the day’s Air Quality Index (AQI).

Technologies for Better IAQ

You can control indoor humidity levels with a dehumidifier, a device that sucks moisture out of the air. It makes your home less humid, lowering the odds of mold growth, too.

You can also boost your home’s IAQ with a high-quality air purifier. Ideally, it should use a HEPA filter that can capture up to 99.7% of unwanted particles in the air.

Cleaner Air for a Healthier You

Poor indoor air quality can cause eye and skin irritations, lung problems, CO poisoning, and heart disease. So, if anyone in your family experiences the symptoms of poor IAQ, it’s time to get the problem under control.

Our expert technicians at Romeo Air Conditioning, who have an average of 25 years of work experience, can help you get started. Although we’re a NATE-certified Carrier FAD dealer, we service all HVAC makes and models. We also possess certifications proving our HVAC work qualifications, including IAQ assessments and improvements.

So, if you’re ready to breathe easier, contact us today! We’ll happily discuss how our HVAC and IAQ services can benefit your entire family.