February is National Heart Awareness Month. What better time to ponder all the things that affect the health of your heart? You’re probably well aware of how diet and exercise contribute to keeping your heart healthy, but do you ever consider the effects of your indoor air quality on your health?

The sad fact is that the air in our homes is much more polluted than the outside air. That can have an impact on your heart, as well as your lungs and kidneys. Read on for what you should know about IAQ effects on your health.

Airborne Pollutants in Your Home

A number of airborne pollutants may be found in the typical, airtight home:

• Dust
• Smoke
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Radon
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
• Mold
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

These substances have different impacts on the body, but all in large concentrations can make you sick — at the least, triggering sniffles and other signs of respiratory distress, as well as allergies and asthma symptoms, and even organ failure.

Controlling Airborne Pollutants

Here are some things you can to control airborne pollutants:

• Vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter.
• Ban smoking in the home.
• Sequester pollen-bearing plants in one room; brush off clothing and pets before entering the home.
• If your home tests positive for radon, look into having a radon barrier installed.
• Install air quality monitors to keep track of the levels of CO, CO2 and other pollutants.
• Fix all leaks and if need be, install a whole-house dehumidifier to control moisture, which can promote mold. Install ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights in the HVAC system to kill organisms in the air such as mold, mildew and bacteria.
• Install a charcoal-activated air filter in the HVAC system to get rid of gases such as VOCs and cigarette smoke.
• Use a good quality, pleated air filter to trap many types of airborne pollutants in your return air supply.

For more on IAQ effects, or to schedule HVAC repair, maintenance or upgrades, contact Powers Heating and Air. We serve Peachtree City.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.