You have likely heard the saying about a man's home being his castle. This metaphor suggests that a house is a type of fortress. In other words, it is a refuge in which the owner can take shelter from the dangers of the world outside. People should rightly expect to feel safe in their home. But some homes contain invisible threats that could be working against the health of you and your family. The quality of air could be one such threat.
Human beings have a number of basic needs that must be fulfilled on a daily basis. The three most vital are food, water and air. However, we are capable of surviving for several days without water, and several weeks without food. But the majority of us can seldom go for a minute with breathing. This shows just how vital breathable air is to a human body. And just like food and drink, some air is better for you than other air. If you ate large portions of junk food on a regular basis, you would quickly notice a decline in your health. Similarly, breathing air of poor quality day to day can have a negative impact on your health.
If you live in a home with poor air quality, you have most likely felt the impact it can have already. The most common health effects include regular headaches or migraines, persistent sinus problems or flu-like symptoms, and a general feeling that something is wrong with the air. Living things are naturally hearty, and can survive a wide range of sub-optimal conditions, but prolonged exposure to a hazardous environment can slowly wear away at your health and quality of life. Your homes is the one place where you regularly spend long stretches of time, even if it is just to sleep. That is why it can have such an impact on your health if your home has low-quality air.
One source of unhealthy air, especially in older homes, could be the construction materials themselves. The most dangerous of potential hazards would be things like asbestos or lead, but these are regulated much more strictly now than they were in the past. But making sure your home has been inspected is never a bad idea.
Floating allergens and contaminants would be the most common reason that air is declared low-quality. Fabrics have a tendency to trap these contaminants within their fibers. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it removes the particles from the air, but if these surfaces, such as carpets, curtains and furniture, are not cleaned regularly, you risk kicking them back into the air.
Things degrade over time. Matter can only last for so long before it decays and its parts are used to make something new. This cycle of decay and replacement is a good metaphor for maintaining quality air. Keeping a steady flow of fresh air to replace the stale air is one of the keys to keeping your home fresh and healthy. Open windows provide access to outdoor air, but the effects are limited and not consistent year-round. A more efficient option would be to find a system that pumps fresh, filtered air into each room of the house.
Human beings have a number of basic needs that must be fulfilled on a daily basis. The three most vital are food, water and air. However, we are capable of surviving for several days without water, and several weeks without food. But the majority of us can seldom go for a minute with breathing. This shows just how vital breathable air is to a human body. And just like food and drink, some air is better for you than other air. If you ate large portions of junk food on a regular basis, you would quickly notice a decline in your health. Similarly, breathing air of poor quality day to day can have a negative impact on your health.
If you live in a home with poor air quality, you have most likely felt the impact it can have already. The most common health effects include regular headaches or migraines, persistent sinus problems or flu-like symptoms, and a general feeling that something is wrong with the air. Living things are naturally hearty, and can survive a wide range of sub-optimal conditions, but prolonged exposure to a hazardous environment can slowly wear away at your health and quality of life. Your homes is the one place where you regularly spend long stretches of time, even if it is just to sleep. That is why it can have such an impact on your health if your home has low-quality air.
One source of unhealthy air, especially in older homes, could be the construction materials themselves. The most dangerous of potential hazards would be things like asbestos or lead, but these are regulated much more strictly now than they were in the past. But making sure your home has been inspected is never a bad idea.
Floating allergens and contaminants would be the most common reason that air is declared low-quality. Fabrics have a tendency to trap these contaminants within their fibers. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it removes the particles from the air, but if these surfaces, such as carpets, curtains and furniture, are not cleaned regularly, you risk kicking them back into the air.
Things degrade over time. Matter can only last for so long before it decays and its parts are used to make something new. This cycle of decay and replacement is a good metaphor for maintaining quality air. Keeping a steady flow of fresh air to replace the stale air is one of the keys to keeping your home fresh and healthy. Open windows provide access to outdoor air, but the effects are limited and not consistent year-round. A more efficient option would be to find a system that pumps fresh, filtered air into each room of the house.
About the Author:
Your body needs air, and it will take in whatever is available around it. Making sure it is of good quality can have a positive long-term effect on your health. Visit Hayward Healthy Home for more tips on having a home with healthy air.
