Is It Toxic In Here, Or Is It Just Me?

Bad news for all you homebodies—your air is probably hurting you. And although air is invisible, the culprits that cause it are hidden in plain sight.

When people think about air quality, they often think about the outside. Meanwhile, indoor air pollution gets a free pass—unregulated and underestimated.

Indoor air pollution is where most of our exposure to air pollution occurs. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that the level of indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor pollutants.

That’s Not Just Pumpkin Pie You’re Smelling.

Researchers once cooked Thanksgiving dinner in a home and found levels of fine particulate matter reaching as high as 285 micrograms per cubic meter. 200 or above is considered unhealthy.

The Symptoms of Poor Air

• Diseases like asthma, pneumonitis and humidifier fever
  
• Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat
• Colds, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue
• Moisture buildup, mold, mildew, and rot in attics (Often referred to as Sick Building Syndrome)

Remedying the Situation

The simple fact is that indoor air needs to be constantly replenished with outdoor air, especially since people now spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

Here are some simple tips for choosing the right ventilation for your home:

• Know the requirements in your state or city building codes.
• Make sure airflow circulates through soffit vents without blockages.
• Check your attic for things like insulation shrinking, mold, and mildew.
• If you’re updating your roof, ask your roofer about the NFA (Net Free Area) of their trim and vents.