If you’re questioning whether your Portland home has bad indoor air quality (IAQ), it likely does.

We are indoors a lot. As a matter of fact, we’re in a building up to 90% of the time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And the air inside houses could be 2–5 times worse than outdoors, which could create long-term health issues.

Most Common Sources of Unsatisfactory IAQ

We’ve put together a list of the most frequent sources of poor IAQ, the issues they make and how you can take care of these indoor air pollutants. If you’re worried about the air inside your residence, we suggest talking with a professional like All Solutions Heating & Cooling about which solutions are a good fit for your home.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals released by common household products.

They’re found in paint and stains along with:

  • Furniture
  • Carpet
  • Building materials
  • Cleaning products
  • Cosmetics
  • Air fresheners
  • Candles

When these vapors accumulate in your home, they may irritate your eyes, nose and throat. They may also cause headaches and nausea. Regardless of whether your house is in a rural or industrial space, an EPA study found indoor levels of these pollutants can be 2–5 times higher than the air outside your home.

Always use the manufacturer’s directions when painting or cleaning. Opening a window can help chemicals disappear faster.

Air purification systems can also better your air. This equipment partners with your heating and cooling system to enhance indoor air. When seeking a system, ensure it’s specifically designed to eradicate VOCs.

Dust and Pet Dander

Dust and pet dander can irritate health problems like asthma and allergies, especially when it continuously gets redistributed by your home’s comfort equipment. While you can vacuum more routinely and buy an improved air filter, an air filtration system might be a better fit.

This unit hooks to your heating and cooling equipment to provide strong filtration. Some kinds provide hospital-level filtration