In this blog, we discuss how poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can affect your and your family’s health, or your business, and what you can do to improve it. As we spend more and more time indoors due to lockdowns and increased working from home, the comfort and safety of our indoor environment is becoming increasingly important. Indoor air quality is closely related to our health and well-being, and we can improve our quality of life, reduce our risk of respiratory disease, and reduce our risk of chronic disease by cleaning indoor air of health-threatening pollutants. 

What types of pollutants affect indoor air quality in New Zealand? 

Damp: Damp houses provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mould.

Dust: Every day more and more dust settles in your home. Even with regular cleaning you are moving the dust particles off objects rather than removing them from your home.

Airborne sprays: From air fresheners, deodorants and cleaning sprays, these linger in your home and you inhale them throughout the day.

Biological contaminants: Bacteria, animal fur & pest droppings create fine particles that contribute to allergies.

Building materials: Paint, glues, carpets & other finishes or furnishings emit chemicals over time that can be harmful.

Noxious gases: All types of gases from gas stoves to tobacco smoke and car exhausts can enter your home via the window.

Asbestos: Ensure you know whether your property contains asbestos & get this safely & professionally removed

Levels of pollutants from individual sources may not pose a significant risk to health in itself but multiple sources of indoor air pollution can interact with each other to cause health problems. Health effects may vary but can include coughing, sneezing, asthma, headache, fatigue, dizziness, and eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. 

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself, your family members or employees by improving indoor air quality by improving your indoor air environment. With ventilation systems or air conditioning systems with an air filter, you can rid your home or commercial property of dust particles and dangerous pollutants. 

With a rise in pollution and the COVID pandemic in recent years, more and more people have been turning to air filters. Some air-con models offer a catechin-based filter. Catechin is a plant extract with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Catechin filters are intended to trap and eliminate bacteria, mould spores and some other fine particles.

If you’re interested in protecting your family or business from unclean air, contact an expert in the field of air-con and ventilation today.