It’s that time of year again, when crisp Autumn air rings in winter and the warmth of summer fades away. In Montreal, leaves are changing colour, days are getting shorter, and more time is spent inside. This begs the question of how to improve your indoor air quality.
You might be surprised to learn some of the things you inhale without noticing. These toxins and particles can cause a reaction. When you notice symptoms of air pollution it’s time to focus on how to improve your indoor air quality.
At Steri Mobile, we specialize in air treatment systems. Our Montreal based business understands all too well what filters through the air in your home. Throughout this blog we’ll help you better understand the symptoms of air pollution, how air testing works, types of pollutants to be aware of and more.
Symptoms of Indoor Air Pollution
Whether your symptoms are caused by something native to your home, or an outside irritant has crept in, it’s important to know the signs of indoor air pollution. Here are the most common symptoms to experience:
- Asthma and allergy symptoms
- Chest tightness and inability to catch your breath
- Headaches and migraines
- Congestion in nose and chest
- Sneezing and coughing
- An increase in ear, throat, and nose infections
- Dizziness and nausea
- Fatigue and trouble sleeping
- Depression and mood disruptions
Many of these symptoms are treatable. However, treating the symptom without treating the cause (the air in your home) won’t produce a permanent fix. Once you notice yourself struggling with congestion, headaches, and other symptoms in our list, call to schedule air quality testing.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Air Quality Testing
Also known as air sampling, air quality testing focuses on identifying the VOCs, mold, bacteria and allergens in your living space. During the test we take a sample of the air from your home. The air is tested in a laboratory to determine what concentrations of toxins or debris are present.
Types of Pollutants the Test Could Find
- Different Types of Mold, mildew and bacteria – Dampness and humidity are a breeding ground for spores. Bacteria makes a home inside your house and grows, dispersing harmful particles into the air you breathe. Mold removal would be advised.
- Fumes from Cleaners – The products you use inside your home don’t disappear after you’ve wiped a surface. The chemicals sprayed onto tabletops and floors also enter your air system.
- Volatile Organic Compounds – These are released from soft materials in your home. The VOC’s get stored in carpets, bedding, furniture, and even stuffed toys. These chemicals occur naturally and create vapours which are breathed in at room temperature without your knowledge.
- Animal Dander and Fur – Our pets shed hair and skin particles into the air. Whether you’re allergic or not, these pieces of debris could cause a reaction if they aren’t filtered out regularly. We love our pets and want them to live in a clean environment. Knowing what they’re breathing in is important too.
- Travelling Pollutants from Outside – Windows, air vents, and cracks in your foundation are entry points for pollutants to come in from outside. If you spray your lawn with weed killer, have your garden treated for insects, or live in an area with poor air quality – you risk breathing them in while inside your home.
- Dust Mites – Dust mites are a regular part of life. These tiny microscopic creatures get into your bedding, carpets, and furniture. They often cause symptoms related to asthma and allergies.
- Cigarette Residue – Smoking isn’t just a problem in the moment. Cigarettes and cigars leave chemicals and tar in the air which settles into walls, floors, ceilings, furniture and other belongings. If you’ve ever noticed a yellow tinge in your home, it could be due to cigarette smoke. This causes respiratory problems and strong odors.
Removing these pollutants decreases the risk of illness associated with poor air quality. Many of these tasks can be completed at home.
DIY Home Air Improvement – Tips to Try on Your Own
While it helps to trust a professional when your health is on the line, there are many ways you can improve home air on your own.
- Vacuum Regularly – Vacuuming carpets and furniture removes excess dust, skin particles, animal dander and fur, and dust mites. This reduces symptoms associated with allergies to dust and pets.
- Reduce Chemical Interaction – Check labels to see what’s inside the products you bring into your home. Everything from window cleaner to paint to nail polish remover could leave toxins in the air.
- Wash Laundry Regularly – Washing laundry is another way to minimize dust mites. As you sleep on your bedding your skin releases dead cells. These build up and are a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria.
- Promote Access to Fresh Air – Keeping vents clean and open helps flush out chemicals, odors, and cigarette smoke. Of course, this only helps while the weather allows for open windows and exterior vents.
- Treat Mold Immediately – Mold and mildew only get worse with time. As soon as you notice a problem begin treating it straight away.
- Have Regular Furnace Maintenance – CO has a big impact on your indoor air quality. Changing the filter and having regular furnace maintenance reduces the chances of CO buildup.
- Install an Air Purifier – The name says it all. This device removes pollutants from your home. The method of purification depends on the machine in use. Some operate with UV lights to kill airborne bacteria.
Keeping your home organized, clutter-free, and cleaned regularly are the best ways to minimize air pollutants. Installing an air treatment system is the next logical step.
How an Effective Air Treatment System Can Help Improve Indoor Air Quality
One problem exposed by weather change is the inability to leave the windows open year-round. When winter hits, windows stay shut, doors stay closed, and less natural air comes in from the great outdoors. This leaves the air inside your home to circulate again and again without ever filtering out impurities.
Steri Mobile works closely with Montreal families to deliver clean, breathable air. We want our clients to rest easy knowing their homes are in good hands. To do this we offer a wide selection of air treatment systems, such as:
- The UV Biopur Portable Air Purifier – This one of a kind air purifier uses a UV process to eliminate bacteria and chemicals. The portable product is successful in rooms 800 square feet or less and works by sifting air through several filters before it passes through a UV light. Both germicidal and oxidizing, there’s not much this purifier can’t catch. The UV Biopur conveniently arrives with a remote control.
- UV Bio-Wall Commercial In-Duct UV Air Sterilization System – Perfect for commercial spaces, unit uses UV technology. It sterilizes air as it passes through your heating and cooling system. Chemicals and organic pollutants are evaporated by means of pure quartz UVC lamps and anodized aluminum parabolic reflectors. Overall this machine catches and destroys 99.9999% of contaminants.
- P900GX Portable – Another purifier, this unit weighs just 11lbs, perfect to bring wherever it’s needed. A reflective aluminum reaction chamber removes chemicals and biological impurities. It can be used as needed or left running.
To learn more about our indoor air quality testing and our air treatment systems to improve your home’s indoor air quality, contact our Steri Mobile team. It will be our pleasure to answer your questions and provide a free estimate for our services.