3 Surprising Ways You’re Harming Your Home’s Air Quality

The air inside your Ogden, NC, home may be affecting your health more than you realize. Everyday habits you hardly think about can release pollutants into your living environment and reduce air quality, which can trigger health problems. Here are three surprising ways you could be harming the air quality in your home and how to fix them:

Using Scented Candles

Scented candles smell great, but they’re not great for your lungs. Burning these candles can release soot particles and by-products called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This is most common with candles made from paraffin wax, which comes from petroleum jelly.

The fragrances and dyes in some scented candles can also produce irritating chemicals. Without adequate air circulation, those particles and vapors can linger in the air. You might experience respiratory irritation or headaches.

You don’t have to give up your beloved scented candles. It’s generally safe to burn them in moderation with sufficient ventilation. Switching to non-toxic candles made with beeswax or soy is worth considering as well.

Enjoying Hobbies With Toxic Products

Hobbies can be a great way to relax and express your creativity. Unfortunately, some of these activities require the use of toxic products.

Hobbies like painting, woodworking, and model building can give off VOCs and fine particle by-products. Even activities like soldering electronics or coloring with markers can generate fumes that irritate your lungs.

The key to protecting your air quality is to engage in these activities in moderation with good ventilation. Otherwise, the pollutants can ruin your air, irritate your lungs, trigger headaches or cause dizziness.

Ignoring HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system helps keep indoor air clean by filtering out dust, pollen and pet dander. When the filter becomes dirty, these pollutants can circulate throughout your home and increase allergy symptoms.

Schedule HVAC maintenance at least once if not twice each year, as service techs can clean dust and debris from your system to keep it from circulating throughout your home. Also, make sure you change your filters regularly.

Improve your indoor air quality and take charge of your health. Contact Pleasant Air Inc. for professional indoor air quality services.

Image provided by iStock