What Are the Most Common Indoor Air Pollutants?

Woman in ponytail on couch coughs into hand from indoor air pollutants.

Your home is the safest place you can be. But you should know that your indoor air could contain pollutants like dust or dirt, which can eventually pose a health concern to you or another family member. Though most of these indoor air pollutants are safe in small amounts, removing them is an extra step you can take to ensure your home is as clean as possible. River City Heating and Air Conditioning is proud to offer a range of air purifying products to help you clear the air in your house.

What Is Indoor Air Pollution?

If your home is filled with indoor air pollutants, chances are you don’t know they’re even there. These toxins can build up as a result of the most basic home activities, including cooking and cleaning. Even carpet can emit fumes that you may be sensitive to. Your pets’ fur and dander also count as contaminants.

If you or another family member have allergies or asthma, you might find your symptoms are worse if you have excess amounts of pollution indoors.

Common Indoor Air Pollutants

Though your indoor air can be affected by a variety of pollutants, the most common ones include:

  • Pollen
  • Mold
  • Mildew
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Radon

Not sure if your home is affected by these contaminants? Contact River City to set up an in-home air quality test to confirm which of these could be present.

How Can I Clean Up My Indoor Air?

If you want to take action to clean up your indoor air, there are a few easy things you can do to get started:

Vacuum

Vacuuming your home more frequently can remove indoor air pollutants that settle and keep your home extra clean. Doing this about once a week is ideal.

Add More Houseplants

Place more houseplants throughout your house to increase oxygen levels and lower the number of VOCs in your air.

Replace Your Air Filter

Change out your furnace air filter on a regular basis (about once every one to three months). This will keep the dust and dirt that gets trapped in it from recirculating.

Install Air Purification Systems

Install an air purifier to eliminate up to 99 percent of irritants from your air. UV lights are also a great option to get rid of mold and mildew growing inside your HVAC systems’ inner coils. Or, for fresher air, consider an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). This unit exchanges the stale and polluted air from within your home with fresher air from the outdoors.

River City also offers carbon monoxide alarm installation, which will alert you if this harmful pollutant reaches dangerous levels.

Get Cleaner Home Air With River City

At River City, we care about you and the health of your family. Enhance your home comfort and health with our expert advice. Call us today to get started.