What Are The Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

April 1, 2024

We’re familiar with the images of factories with billowing smokestacks and smog hovering over traffic-jammed cities. But what about indoor air pollution? According to studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can have levels of pollutants between five and 100 times more than outdoor air. These high levels are of great concern since most of us spend about 90% of our time inside. The very young and the elderly often spend even more time indoors, and they are the very ones who are the most vulnerable to health problems caused by indoor air pollutants. Unfortunately, concentrations of air pollutants indoors have increased due to the use of synthetics in everyday household items, such as materials used in buildings and furniture, cleaners, personal care items, and more. Homes and other buildings that are constructed to be airtight and energy efficient have exacerbated the problem. It’s important to be aware of indoor air pollutants — what they are, how they affect your health, and how to increase your indoor air quality. What Indoor Air Pollutants Are Air pollutants consist of gases and unpurified matter and infuse the air with certain materials around the home. Moisture, heat, and poor ventilation...

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What’s the Difference Between a Humidifier and Dehumidifier

June 6, 2018

Air conditioning and HVAC systems provide comfortable climate control in homes and other structures. Although some people may believe that these systems have a uniform if not a generic design, nothing could be further from the truth. A unit installed in a humid area such as Miami functions differently than one serving a home in a desert climate such as Las Vegas. The best systems available for use in San Antonio, Texas, and surrounding areas are those suited for our annual climate and humidity levels. In some regions, HVAC systems and smaller, stand-alone units act as humidifiers. In other locations, the goal is to dehumidify the air. What is a Humidifier? Humidifiers add moisture to the air. Point-of-use humidifiers increase the relative humidity in a room or small space, while HVAC units in drier climates perform a similar function throughout a structure. Humidifiers are frequently used in drier climates and desert areas, regions that have low levels of moisture in the air. In such areas, our bodies experience water loss and a greater chance for respiratory illness without sufficient liquids. Books, furniture, and other organic items (materials with carbon within them) tend to bend, shrink, or become very brittle. Static...

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