Indoor air quality can have between two to one hundred times the amount of pollutants you can get in outdoor air. These air pollutants can affect the quality of life of occupants in the property. However, it is a problem that property owners can solve. In this article, we will explain the different types of indoor air pollutants and how occupants can help to improve the air quality.
Types of air pollutants
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Certain solids and liquids release gases into the air. These gases are chemicals known as volatile organic compounds(VOC). Numerous household products contain these harmful organic compounds.
Examples of such products are air fresheners, cosmetics, personal care products, paints, building materials, sealing caulks, cleaning supplies, and carpets. The volatile organic compounds that constitute indoor air pollutants include formaldehyde, xylene benzene, toluene, ethylene glycol, and methylene chloride.
- Allergy or asthma triggers
There are several indoor air pollutants that can trigger asthma or allergies. These triggers include dust mites, pet dander, secondhand smoke, pollen, and molds. Dust mites are common in pillows, stuffed animals, and clutter.
Since molds have an affinity for humid places, you commonly see them in bathrooms. Pet dander may be seen on the upholstery or floors.
- Combustion pollutants
Various activities in the apartment can cause air pollution indoors. These include cooking, heating, and drying. While using appliances, they emit gases and particles that may cause air pollution if they escape into the house due to poor ventilation. Sometimes, these gasses may be odorless and colorless, for example, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
7 ways property managers and tenants can improve indoor air quality
- Test the air quality regularly
As part of the property’s maintenance, you should hire professionals to analyze the air quality in the apartment. During this process, the professionals will screen for all the possible contaminants.
If there was any recent painting or home repairs, such activities may add more pollutants to the indoor space. We recommend that you test the air quality of your property at least once every six months.
- Repair issues that may lead to air pollution
Issues like pipe or roof leaks can cause mold to grow in the house. Owners of property should repair such problems to prevent further air pollution and further damage.
- Change air filters in the property regularly
Air filters may appear insignificant, but they are vital in maintaining the airflow in a property. It is essential to change these filters regularly if you want the HVAC system to function at its maximum capacity. The normal timeframe to change air filters is once every three months. You should include this as part of their regular maintenance, here is a little trick make a note in your calendar so you will never forget to replace the filter.
- Invest in alternative flooring
Some flooring options predispose the property to indoor air pollution. An example is the case of carpet floors. That is because carpet floors retain debris, allergens, and pet dander. As a result, the indoor air quality becomes poor. To solve this issue, property managers can install alternative flooring options like laminates, vinyl, hardwood, or tiles. These alternative floors are easy to clean and maintain than carpet floors.
- Turn on the hood vent or open the windows when cooking
During cooking, fumes can build up quickly if you close the windows or turn off the hood vent. These fumes are air pollutants such as smoke, moisture, chemicals, grease, etc. If you turn on the hood vents or keep the windows open when cooking, the fumes will go outdoors instead of accumulating inside the house. The property owner should always keep the hood vent on before cooking and allow it to stay at least fifteen minutes after cooking.
- Reduce the use of chemical household products
Avoid using chemical household products such as toxic cleaners and synthetic air fresheners. These products release volatile organic compounds that can accumulate to higher indoor levels. The health impacts here may be respiratory diseases, cancers, and other illnesses.
- Use exhaust fans in the bathroom
Molds thrive in areas with high humidity. In bathrooms, moisture may build up easily and facilitate mold growth. However, use of the ventilation fan or keep the windows open, the humidity will be lower, and mold will not grow there.
The bottom line
You should not panic if they notice poor indoor air quality in their houses. Most times, they can solve this problem through proper cleaning and maintenance. However, some cases may be serious and require conducting extensive upgrades on the property. Such upgrades may involve air ducts, vents, windows, exhaust fans, etc.
