Most people spend the vast majority of their time indoors. In fact, according to the EPA, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants may be up to two to five times higher than outdoors. Fortunately, improving indoor air quality is within everyone's power and benefits both homeowners and the environment. Here are six reasons to improve the air quality in your home.

1. Improve Health

The primary motivation for improving indoor air quality is often the desire to improve health. Some pollutants such as carbon monoxide and asbestos can cause dire, even fatal consequences. Other pollutants are linked to increased risks of asthma and other respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, or cancer. The best thing you can do for your family's health is to improve indoor air quality.

2. Enhance Mood and Productivity

Indoor air pollutants affect mood and productivity. Some pollutants, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide, can cause fatigue or drowsiness. Other pollutants cause headaches, which decrease mental sharpness and impair judgment. Luckily, improving indoor air quality can help remedy this.

3. Reduce Allergens

Many indoor pollutants are allergens that directly affect the respiratory system, eyes, skin, and digestive systems of sensitive individuals. These include dust mites, pet dander, pollen, formaldehyde (a substance commonly released by building materials like plywood), and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). You can reduce these allergens by improving the air quality in your home.

4. Save Money

Indoor air pollutants can not only negatively impact your health but your wallet as well. Some pollutants, including radon and carbon monoxide, are linked to increased risks of certain cancers or heart disease, which require expensive medical care. Other pollutants directly damage appliances or other household items, resulting in costly repairs or replacement.

5. Better Sleep Quality

Although poor indoor air quality can cause health problems, it can also affect how well you sleep at night. Some studies suggest that breathing dirty air might even be linked to insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Among the best way to improve your sleep is to improve indoor air quality.

6. Reduce Carcinogens

Indoor air pollutants that increase the risk of cancer include asbestos, radon, formaldehyde, benzene vapors, and secondhand smoke. An asbestos inspection is the best way to determine whether asbestos is present in your home, and radon testing costs only a few dollars.

Improving indoor air quality effectively promotes health and wellness, saves money, and even enhances mood. But before you can improve air quality, you will need some tests, including an asbestos inspection and other air quality tests. Call us to schedule your asbestos inspection today.