I had a friend who insisted he never sneezed regularly…until he went to work. He blamed the building. Chances are you have heard stories from numerous friends and family members who complain about things like headaches after spending long hours inside their office buildings or schools. You may have experienced the same thing yourself. It’s pretty much impossible to scientifically link each incident to indoor air quality. That doesn’t mean there isn’t increasing concern in Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and Vail, CO about the effects of the so-called sick building syndrome.
OUR LIVES HAVE CHANGED
It’s also important to expand the conversation to include our homes and apartments. It’s quite likely our lives have been changed forever by the pandemic. Many people will continue to work in their homes rather than commuting to a central location. Logic tells you that in those situations you may be spending 22 hours a day or more in your home, which can compound any indoor air quality problems.
SOURCES & SYMPTOMS
Common indoor air pollutants include tobacco smoke, pollen & other allergens, carbon monoxide, the chemicals that make up many volatile organic compounds, and the cancer-causing gas radon. Health experts say when the indoor air quality is unhealthy it can cause a long list of symptoms including:
- Eye irritation
- Lung cancer
- Headaches
- Coughs & sore throats
- Chest tightness
- Skin rashes
- Dizziness & nausea
- Allergies & asthma
This is why the EPA considers poor indoor air quality as a major risk to public health.
GROWING CONCERN
The concern about how indoor air quality affects human health has steadily increased since the 1980s. Problems have been discovered in many public buildings. The list includes old school buildings leading to long sick leaves for teachers and unexplained symptoms like headaches among students. But concern over IAQ reached new levels as the COVID19 pandemic gripped the country and the world.
THERE ARE WAYS TO FIGHT BACK
Climate Control Company is ready, willing, and able to help you improve the indoor air quality in your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home and business. There are state of the art systems to increase ventilation, filter particles out of the air, and purify the air by killing bacteria and viruses. Call today to schedule a no-obligation appointment. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great HVAC information.
