Air is all around us and essential for life as we know it. Humans need oxygen and release carbon dioxide, while plants do the opposite. It is complimentary and the reason why plants are so important to sustaining human life on earth.
But, you may not think much about what contaminants are in the air. Everything we use daily can become airborne and potentially harmful. Whether it’s a pest control substance or vacuuming without a filter, we are adding to the pollutants in the air and reducing the air quality.
This is why many people are turning to industrial air conditioning units and high-quality filters to protect themselves from this poor air quality.
But, what may really surprise you is the number of homes and businesses that have poor air quality. If you have any of the following symptoms you may be living and working in a poor air quality area.
Asthma
Asthma is on the increase. In many cases, it is a sign of bad air quality. Wheezing, struggling to breathe, coughing, and even tightness of the chest are all signs that you have asthma and can all be a result of exposure to poor quality air.
Some of the worst components inside the house are endotoxins, dust mite, and ozone. The ozone is formed when sunlight hits specific air pollutants. As sunlight will always find a way into your home you need to eliminate the pollutants.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
This is a long-term condition that has been linked to inhaling contaminated air for an extended period. It initially presents similar symptoms to asthma but can also involve chronic bouts of coughing, weight loss, extreme fatigue, and swelling in your feet.
Cold Like Symptoms
Catching a cold is normal once or twice a year. However, if you have the symptoms of a cold and no one else does you are more likely to be suffering from a reaction to poor quality air. The initial signs are running nose, red eyes; scratchy throat, and sneezing. As the pollutants get worse dizziness and fatigue are also common.
If you have these symptoms and can’t shake them then they may be a result of the air rather than the common cold. If others don’t appear to be affected you need to seek medical advice and evaluate the air in your home.
Chest Infections
Pneumonia and bronchitis are not pleasant. If you suffer from these more than once then it is likely that your air quality is poor and needs to be addressed. This is often a result of chemicals in the air that builds up in your lungs, causing you issues.
Dealing With Poor Air Quality
The best thing is to take action as soon as you have cold-like symptoms and no cold. The sooner air quality is improved the better for your long-term health. That means paying attention to the smaller signs of an issue and reacting early. Your family will thank you for it!