Is the Air in Your Home Making You Ill?

Is the Air in Your Home Making You Ill?

By Ruth MacEachern

Product Manager

Did you know that poor indoor air quality is associated with around 50% of all illnesses?

Many respiratory illnesses including asthma, allergies, and hay fever can be triggered by allergens in the home including mould spores, dust, and the by products of house dust mites.  In addition to this, poor indoor air quality can cause headaches and fatigue.

On average, including sleeping, we spend around 70% of our time inside our homes, which means the environment inside our houses is crucial to our health.  For people with allergies like Hay Fever, or those with asthma, a house swimming with Allergens and Volatile Organic Compounds can be devastating to health.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

VOCs are airborne contaminants that have been released inside the home. They are often found within consumer products like cleaning products and aerosols, VOCs can be released from the fabric of a building and are contained in adhesives, solvents and treatments that are used during the building process. VOCs are associated with causing tiredness as well as leading to allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Reducing the concentration of VOCs in your home environment requires a combination of choosing cleaning products that contain fewer chemicals and the improvement of ventilation which will help to dissipate the concentration of these chemicals and lessen their effects.

How House Dust Mites Affect Your Health

House dust mites live in most houses but can thrive in damp environments where poor ventilation allows dust to build up.

The by-products of house dust mites – most notably their faeces – cause allergic reactions in many asthmatics.  Research suggests that around 80% of asthma attacks are caused by the inhalation of dust mite waste products.

Regular cleaning of dusty areas and ensuring that your vacuum cleaner filters are regularly cleaned can help to reduce the amount of dust present for dust mites to feed, but the most effective way of reducing their population is to create a less friendly environment.  Reducing condensation which causes damp through improved ventilation will drastically lower the population of dust mites in your home and lead to fewer allergens being present.

Take Steps to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

If you are concerned that your home environment is making you ill or causing unwanted allergic reactions, then taking steps to improve air quality can help.

Book a free survey of your property where our local specialist will be able to measure the quality of your air and discuss your options to install a modern ventilation system that will help reduce dust and prevent the build-up of Volatile Organic Compounds that could be damaging your health.