Poor Indoor Air Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared that indoor air quality (IAQ) poses a greater health hazard to humans than outdoor air pollution, with pollutant levels averaging two to five times higher, and sometimes 100 times higher, than outside air. The World Health Organization has stated that indoor air pollution is responsible for nearly 3% of the worldwide burden of disease. We spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, much of that time in our homes; therefore, our exposure to air pollutants is significant.

Breathing bad air can cause many health effects, from mildly irritating to extremely serious. Symptoms such as frequent headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, nose and throat irritation can be indicators that the quality of air in the home is poor – especially if these symptoms subside once you leave the house. Other more serious health problems that can arise with poor indoor air quality are asthma exacerbation, digestive problems, and damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Some air contaminants are so harmful that they can even cause cancer. And the source of these harmful air contaminants?  Products that we use or are surrounded by every day. Click here to read about the causes of indoor air pollution.

In addition to the presence of health problems from inhalation of mold, serious structural damage can occur if mold is present. Leaky pipes, poorly working or dirty air conditioning and heating systems, and ground water penetration in basements and other damp areas are all potential sources of actively growing mold. Often this mold goes undetected because it’s growing behind drywall or underneath flooring.

Testing indoor air quality is outside the scope of a general property inspection.  Environmental issues of all kinds are excluded from the scope of our inspections.  Walker Property Evaluation Services can provide a general IAQ Survey as a separate service, either at the time of your general property inspection or on a standalone basis.  These are simple, inexpensive tests that give you an overall assessment of the indoor air you breathe every day.

To learn more, simply click to go to:  www.indoorairqualitysurvey.com