Air quality in your home may cause headaches

When the weather report issues an air quality warning, some people stay indoors, but there's no guarantee that the air in the home is any healthier than the air outside. Common indoor air pollutants such as dust mite grime, pet dander, mold, tobacco smoke, and airborne allergens and germs may be lurking about without anyone ever noticing.

Adults spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors and inhale approximately 2,300 gallons of air a day. Given that, people face significant, ongoing exposure to a variety of unwelcome indoor air pollutants. Extended exposure to these pollutants can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, respiratory problems, headache, fatigue and even allergy symptoms. Asthmatics, the elderly and children are the most vulnerable to indoor air pollutants and can develop more serious symptoms. Prolonged exposure to some pollutants has even been linked to cancer or other serious diseases.

Homeowners do, however, have the power to combat indoor air pollutants and improve their home's air quality.

One common first line of defense is a home air filtration system. These devices filter pollutants from the air circulating throughout the home. The whole-home purifier, installed in line with the ductwork of a home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, re-purifies the air as many as eight times an hour, removing a majority of pathogens, allergens and pet dander.

But an air purifier shouldn't have to do all the work. Homeowners need to do their part by maintaining a clean household. Simple things like asking people to take off their shoes at the front door or preventing family and guests from smoking indoors go a long way toward clearing indoor air, allowing homeowners to breathe a fresh sigh of relief.

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