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What Types of Contaminants Can Hurt Your Indoor Air Quality?

Many homeowners may think that the air quality in their homes is significantly better than outside. A house is sheltered, after all, and circulates its own air rather than taking it from outside. What may surprise them, then is the revelation that indoor air quality can actually be quite poor. There are a number of common indoor air contaminants that can provoke allergies, make you sick, and even prove fatal. Here is a list of the most common contaminants.

Animal/Insect Dander

If you have a cat or dog, you know about the absurd ability they have of shedding large amounts of hair all over the place. Along with hair, they also shed dander, which is comprised of groups of skin cells similar to dandruff. Dander causes strong allergic reactions in some people, and is actually the source of cat and dog allergies. This problem can be made worse by forced air heaters and air conditioners, which serve to propel the dander throughout the house.

Just like common house pets, insects shed dander as well. Insect dander is often small bits of exoskeleton, and provokes a similar allergic response when inhaled. Unlike pets, these insects often lurk in the ducts themselves, giving their dander a much wider reach when the A/C or heating is turned on.

Bacteria/Viruses

Bacteria and viruses are also quite common airborne contaminants within a home. These microscopic organisms can survive and thrive in all sorts of unlikely places, including the ductwork of your home. Their most common form of entry, however, is often on or in a person that has been outside. When that person coughs or sneezes, the germs are scattered into the air and are able to infect others.

So, what are you supposed to do about these contaminants? Well, there are a number of air filters and purifiers on the market that are designed to remove these contaminants from the air. We recommend using one or more of them to improve the air quality in your home.

If you need to install an air purifier in your home, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. Our experts provide indoor air quality services throughout Naperville.

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