5 Danger Levels of Indoor Air Quality

Contrary to belief, indoor pollutants are actually more dangerous than they are outside! When pollutants are inside of a home, they are trapped within the given space. This creates a greater intensity of the pollutants that can negatively affect anyone inside.

Do you know what pollutants could be in your home? Awareness of these dangers can help protect you and your family from harm.

On a scale of 1-5, here are the dangerous levels of air quality that could be in your home.

Level 1: Toxic Compounds

• Chemicals, odors, and pollutants can be released from the carpet, paint, stains, or furniture in your home. When these products are new they can release toxic chemicals that can leave your family breathing in toxins for years.

Level 2: Infectious Illnesses

• This is the more obvious level of the danger levels because we are all aware of how illnesses travel. Airborne illnesses such as the cold, the flu, along with microorganisms such as germs and viruses can enter homes by family members or even pets. Once these illnesses or microorganisms enter the home they are stuck in the air circulation system that will continue to spread these airborne germs, viruses, and bacteria.

Level 3: Allergens

• Allergies are a well-known reactant that is caused by allergens. These allergens create breathing issues for millions of Americans each year. Some of the most common indoor allergens are dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores.

Level 4: Microbial Growth
Micro-organisms are mold and fungal spores that are commonly found around homes. These organisms can be created by:

• High humidity
• Standing water
• Water vapor under the foundation of your home

Level 5: Dangerous Gasses

• The most common odorless, tasteless, invisible gasses are carbon monoxide and radon.
• Carbon monoxide can create a deadly impact in a short period of time when levels are high. This dangerous gas is usually detected around engines that burn fuel like cars, fireplaces, or stoves.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is a gas that is released from the soil into the lowest level of a home. No amount of radon is safe. The more exposure to radon, the stronger the harmful impact on the health of you and your family.