Besides creating a comfortable environment in your home in Pinecrest, Florida, your HVAC system also helps to improve the quality of your indoor air. If it isn’t well-maintained, you can expect your air to become more polluted, which can result in a variety of health problems. The following are three health risks of poor indoor air quality:
Sneezing, Coughing, and Runny Nose
Poor air quality can cause your family members to experience flu-like symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, and dizziness. You can easily treat these symptoms, or they will go away on their own. They’re more likely to occur when your air contains high levels of contaminants such as dust, pollen, mites, and bacteria. Homeowners may attribute these symptoms to colds and allergies without considering the possibility of poor indoor air quality. If you experience such symptoms, consider going outdoors and see if they subside.
Asthma Attack
In addition, polluted indoor air can lead to an asthma attack. When exposed to indoor pollutants, someone who is suffering from asthma has an increased chance of experiencing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, these symptoms can worsen and result in an asthma attack that requires emergency medical attention.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Constant exposure to poor indoor air quality can also cause your family members to develop long-term health problems like COPD. This condition has similar symptoms to asthma, but it can also lead to more severe symptoms such as chronic coughing, respiratory infection, and swelling in the legs. Examples of pollutants that can increase the risk of COPD include dust, pet dander, secondhand smoke, combustible pollutants, and asbestos.
Other than properly maintaining your HVAC system, you can also enhance your indoor air quality by installing an air purification system in your home. If you’re looking for a reputable HVAC contractor that provides effective indoor air quality solutions, contact RCI Air at 305-307-5348.
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