With spring just around the corner, we will soon be opening our windows to let the warm air into the spaces we occupy. But warmth is not the only thing that can fill the air inside. There are many things in our homes and where we work that can negatively affect air quality. In order to properly address air quality, it is important to clear the air about some causes of poor indoor air quality.
Chemicals used in consumer products can lead to a harmful indoor environment
Chemical Culprits in Consumer Products
Chemicals find their way into products in many different ways and these chemicals, in turn, get into the air we breathe. Flame-retardant chemicals such as polybrominated biphenyl and polychlorinated biphenyl are meant to keep us the same from spreading fires, but they can be harmful when they fill the air. The chemicals can often be found in products that contain plastic such as furniture, televisions, and products that contain plastic-based foam. Another common toxin used in consumer products is polyurethane. This chemical is used as a seal on wood floors and furniture to protect them from damage or give them a shine. Formaldehyde is also a chemical that attributes to poor air quality and is commonly used as an adhesive in carpets, furniture upholstery, and paneling.
Most cleaning products contain harmful toxins
The Toxicity of Cleaning Products
Even as we work to keep our homes and workspaces clean, we may also be contributing to poor air quality. Cleaning supplies are a common cause of dangerous toxins getting into the air we breathe. Since these products are used in many areas and on a wide range of surfaces, it is easy for them to circulate into the air. Components such as volatile organic compounds, ammonia, and bleach are used in these products and can be hazardous to our health.
Mold and mildew form due to excess humidity and moisture
The Menace of Mold and Mildew
Another danger you can cause poor air quality is the presence of mold and mildew. High levels of humidity or moisture in a space can cause mold and mildew to form. Spores can contribute to a variety of illnesses and longer mold and mildew persist, the more spores make it into the air. Mold and mildew are commonly undetectable to the eye and often go overlooked.
Pet Dander, Dust Mites, and Cockroaches, Oh My!
If your home or work environment isn’t clean and clutter-free, you may experience poor air quality from a range of things including dander from pets, dust mites, and pesky cockroaches. These can all contaminate and pollute indoor air.
Outdoor allergens easily contaminate indoor air through open windows
Pollution and Pollen from Outdoors
While opening the windows to air out a room and flush out stagnant air is often a good idea, outdoor pollution, pollen, and other allergens can find their way inside. These elements can be a nightmare for people with sensitivities or allergies.
The LG ERV offers multiple configurations to provide more effective ventilation
Ventilation to the Rescue
Proper ventilation can go a long way to create a healthy indoor environment. Opening a window is a simple solution but that isn’t always enough to ventilate closed or unique environments and keep outdoor allergens at bay. Solutions such as the LG Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) is a comprehensive system that can be implemented along with your HVAC system to provide efficient and effective ventilation. The ERV system is also much more consistent and effective at providing clean air to and environment than opening windows and it can also provide protection from allergens from outdoors. The ERV can also actually provide energy savings along with 3-step air purification and CO2 control in any environment from homes and offices to commercials buildings, schools, and hospitals.
By understanding what contributes to poor air quality, we can better understand the importance of maintaining clean air in the spaces we occupy day in and day out. Creating healthy and comfortable environments is an important part of what LG does in providing HVAC solutions to customers. We hope you make your environment as healthy as possible for your family and coworkers.
