What are the Symptoms of Poor Air Quality?
Air is one of the fundamental elements that play a pivotal role in the quality of our lives every day. The air quality in our environment governs our health, our wellbeing, and even our lifespan. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to understand the symptoms of poor air quality in an environment to be able to take measures. In order to recognise the symptoms of poor air quality it is important to recognise the following symptoms:
Symptoms of poor air quality
- Worsening asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems
- Shortness of breath
- Sinus congestion, sneezing and cough
- Eye, skin, nose and throat irritations that includes itchy eyes, runny nose, allergic reactions and hypersensitivity.
- Memory loss, fatigue and depression
Causes of poor indoor air quality
The causes of poor indoor air quality include:
- Fuel or tobacco combustion processes that occur either indoors or outdoors that then infiltrate inside
- Emissions from furnishings, consumer products, construction materials, tobacco and cooking and other products
- Chemical cleaners
- Remodelling and demoliton of construction materials and painted surfaces
- An inefficient HVAC system
- Damp materials and furnishings
- Components of HVAC systems
- Occupants
- Pets
- Outdoor air
Common indoor air pollutants
Air pollutants can become highly concentrated in an indoor environment. The following are the most common indoor pollutants:
- Fine particles
- Carbon monoxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Sulfur oxides
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- Aldehydes
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Biological
Side effects in terms of respiratory health
There are many health effects of poor indoor air quality such as an increased risk of cancer, leukemia, appendicitis, stroke and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. The most prevalent health risk is that to the respiratory system. Adverse respiratory effects include and increased incidence or prevalence of:
- Mortality
- Cancer
- Asthmatic attacks
- Lower respiratory tract infections
- COPD or other diseases
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Cough/phlegm production requiring medical attention
- Acute upper respiratory tract infections
- Eye, nose and throat irritations
To test the quality of air, Air Quality Testing could be performed with the help of air quality consultants, a specialist type of environmental consultant available at Enviro Corp. Testing for air quality indoors is needed on a routine basis to account for seasonal fluctuations of indoor air quality and in response to a complaint or concern. Professional air quality testing is essential.
References:
Jiang 2016 Air pollution and chronic airway diseases: what should people know and do? Journal of Thoracic Disease