As we have previously discussed in another blog, biological pollutants are found in nearly every home and can affect our home’s indoor air quality. Because of this, the occupants of the home may experience various illnesses that are associated with these types of indoor pollutants. The symptoms of these, however, are very similar to the symptoms of other, unrelated ailments so, how can you determine whether your health issues are being caused by biological pollutants within the home?
Among the symptoms associated with biological pollutants are tiredness, dizziness, frequent headaches, fevers, dry throat, stuffy nose, and difficulty breathing. If you or members of your household are having any or all of these symptoms, do they go away when time is spent out of doors?
When did you last clean out your air conditioning units or humidifiers? Has it been recently or some time since they were done?
Have you noticed that moisture tends to collect on surfaces like windows, walls, and ceilings? Are there any musty or moldy odors in the home, indicating moisture intrusion? Does your indoor air feel overly humid?
If you have recently moved into a new home or have had work done in the form of insulating, weather stripping, storm windows, or another type of energy conservation work, did the health problem start during or after you moved or had the work done?
Does your home have a pest problem such as cockroaches or rodents, etc.?
After reading these questions, how many can you answer yes to? If you find yourself answering yes to all or even a few of them then biological pollutants may be affecting the quality of your indoor environment. Of course, this is something your doctor should officially diagnose.