The Air Quality Plano may be worse inside your home than out. An example of that may be Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), these are gases released by many household products. They can cause problems like headaches, nausea, and irritated eyes and throat. Indoor air pollution may be especially harmful to kids, kids breathe much faster than adults, so they breathe in a lot more air. It particularly can affect toddlers, who crawl and generally spend time near the ground where heavy contaminants settle in the air.
Indoor Air Quality Testing can provide the peace of mind your family deserves. Call today to schedule an appointment to have your IAQ test 972-235-2600. Many benefits come with achieving improved indoor air quality:
- Decrease in Allergies
- Decrease in Respiratory related issues
- Less Headaches and Fatigue
- Less Anxiety related to why you or family are sick all the time
- Reduction in dust collection on furniture and surfaces
Efficient Home Solutions can help with:
- Air Sample Testing around your home to check for Mold and VOC’s
- Sealing up the envelope of your home to prevent attic air from entering your home
- Improved sealing of ductwork and filtration of the air through your HVAC system
New Carpets Can Emit Chemicals
Common complaints are headaches, rashes, and eye and throat irritation just after new carpet is installed. Some new carpeting, padding, and adhesive give off potentially harmful gases. Choose low-VOC carpet, request or demand that it be unrolled and aired out several days prior to installation. Stay out of your house during installation and keep it well-ventilated for days afterward. Consider other flooring options when adults or children with allergies and asthma
Paint and Paint Related Products Indoor Air Pollution
Paints, paint lacquers and paint strippers can emit harmful gases. Minimize health risks of new paint by choosing low-VOC paint, also keep the windows and/or doors open while painting and for several days after while paint dries. Try not to store paint cans because gases can leak, even from sealed containers. If you must store paint, keep it in a well-ventilated area, away from the main living areas of your home
Chemicals from Arts/Craft/Hobby Supplies
When Adults and Children decide to get crafty, if possible head outside to work in a better ventilated area. Depending upon the products used in the project and the length of exposure, fumes from markers, glues, and other art supplies may cause headaches and eye, nose, and throat irritation
Cleaning Products can cause Health Problems
The chemicals found in some household cleaners can be toxic if inhaled or touched, causing rashes and irritate the respiratory system. This is particularly true for people prone to skin or breathing problems. Some products may aggravate allergies. Those that contain ammonia and chlorine may be especially irritating to children with asthma. Try cleaning with hot water, vinager, baking soda, and less-toxic cleaning products
Dry-Cleaned Clothes and Health
Next time you pick up your Laundry from the dry-cleaners, take a sniff prior to bring them inside the house. Dry-cleaners often use perchloroethylene, a chemical that has been found to cause cancer in animals. When you bring freshly dry-cleaned clothes into your home, your family may be inhaling this potentially harmful chemical or you may have concentrated levels in your closet. Allow Dry-cleaned clothes to air out in the garage for a few days when possible before wearing them. As an alternative to dry-cleaning some clothes can be washed by hand or in a washing machine.
Kids and Secondhand Smoke
Home where someone smokes can make children living in them more prone to ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, and coughs. Children with asthma may have more frequent and severe attacks. Inhaling second hand smoke may cause asthma in kids who never had symptoms before. Thirdhand smoke — the toxic residue that lingers in clothes, cushions, and carpet — can be also harmful to kids, especially when they play or crawl on the floor.
Stove Problems and Air Pollution
Gas stoves that are improperly installed or vented can release harmful gases into your home. At low levels, carbon monoxide can cause fatigue. Higher concentrations can cause nausea, headaches, confusion, and even death. Nitrogen dioxide can cause respiratory problems — especially in children. Make sure burners are adjusted correctly so that flame tips are always blue. Vent the stove with a fan that blows outside, if vent travel through attic have it checked yearly to be sure all connections are secure
Chimney and Furnace Gases
Central heating and air conditioning system are prone to problems: ranging from cracks crack in the heat exchanger, cracks in the flue pipe or unsecure connections of the flue pipe to outside ventilation — dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide could be collecting in your home. Make sure your furnace – including the chimney and flue — is well-maintained, including annual inspections and regular filter changes.
Dangers of Radon Gases
There is no way to see, smell or taste radon, it can only be detected with testing – Radon is a dangerous gas formed when uranium naturally decays in soil, rocks, or water. It can enter your home through cracks or holes in the foundation, through sub-floor on a pier and beam home, walls, or around pipes. Radon is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer. Children may be more sensitive to radon because they breathe faster and take in more air. You can test for radon with kits found at or ordered through hardware stores or call a radon inspector.
Health Concerns with Air Fresheners
Breathing difficulties and headaches can be caused by Air Fresheners for some people. In a study, nearly one-third of people with asthma said they had breathing problems when exposed to air fresheners. Tests by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that some air fresheners contain phthalates, a chemical linked to child developmental and hormonal issues. Instead, use natural herbs like rosemary, basil, or mint and good ventilation to freshen air.
Formaldehyde in Furniture and other Building Products
Formaldehyde is a chemical commonly used in pressed-wood furniture as well as permanently pressed drapes, clothes, insulating products and many other building products. Children are particularly vulnerable to respiratory irritation from formaldehyde fumes. Because new products give off stronger emissions, consider purchasing floor models. Allow new furniture to air out in garage prior to bring inside and wash drapes before bringing them indoors. Insist on Formaldehyde free insulation when installing or upgrading insulation
