Knowledge > Air Quality

Overview

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HOME’S AIR

This page contains information for strategies and products designed to improve air quality in your home.

Air quality—an issue that impacts every home

In the last several years, doctors and public health officials have found that poor air quality in the home is a growing problem, with significant health risks.

The air inside the average home may be two to five times— and occasionally up to 100 times—more polluted than the air outside.
Almost all chronic sinus problems are related to indoor air quality.
The number of people with asthma, allergies and lung disease has nearly doubled over the past 10 years.
No home is immune to IAQ problems.
All homes, no matter how clean they appear, are contaminated with dirt and dust.
Older homes can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew.
Newer, tightly sealed homes tend to have higher concentrations of chemicals.

A problem with an easy solution
Research shows poor indoor air quality is a problem that affects every home. But, fortunately, it is a problem that can be prevented and corrected. We can help you identify simple ways to improve air quality in your home, based on your needs and lifestyle.
*Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) **Mayo Clinic ***American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Indoor Air Quality Problems
Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental risks to public health. The average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Research has shown the air in your home may be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside. Source: Environmental Protection Agency statistics

There are three main classes of pollutants:

Particles
Bioaerosols (viruses and bacteria)
Odors/ chemical vapors (V.O.C.’s).

The impact of pollutants on your health depends on several factors, including your age and overall well-being Polar Aire offers an innovative solution for every indoor air quality need.

WHAT TYPES OF POLLUTANTS CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR HOME

Pollutants like dust mites, mold spores, bacteria and chemical vapors can find their way into your home’s air every day. To learn more about how these pollutants can impact your health and home, refer to the chart below.

POLLUTANT TYPES, SOURCES AND IMPACTS

	Definition Sources	Health Impacts	Home Impacts
Particles	Pollutants found in the air: Pollen Dust Mites Dirt Pet Dander Plants Animals Soil	Aggravation of asthma and allergies	Stained walls and upholstery Decreased efficiency of your home comfort system, due to buildup of particles in ductwork
Bioaerosols	Microscopic pollutants that thrive in warm, humid environments: Mold Spores Bacteria Viruses Fungi Plants People Animals Ductwork Humidifier drip pans Water-damaged carpets, ceiling panels and walls Furnaces or air conditioners that have not been properly maintained Plumbing leaks Dampness in basements, crawl spaces, attics and bathrooms	Aggravation of asthma and allergies Eye, nose and throat irritation Increased risk of respiratory illness Body aches and/or fever Skin rashes	Warping of floors Discoloration of walls and ceilings Damage to structural elements in home
Odors / Chemical Vapors	Air contaminants in the form of gases: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde and gasoline Pet odors Cooking smells Carbon dioxide Carbon monoxide Cleaning supplies Paints and solvents Perfumes Tobacco smoke New carpeting and upholstery Air fresheners Stored fuels and automotive products Hobby supplies Dry-cleaned clothing Stoves, heaters, fireplaces and chimneys Pesticides Herbicides	Eye, nose and throat irritation Fatigue Skin rashes Dizziness or nausea Headaches Allergic reactions Aggravation of asthma Increased risk of serious or long-term illness	Lingering odors Discoloration of walls and ceilings

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CLEAR THE AIR

Indoor Air Quality Solutions
Refer to the table below for four simple strategies to improve your Indoor Air Quality/

Strategy	Recommendation/Solution	How It Works	How It Helps
Eliminate	Routine household cleaning Have an HVAC technician inspect your home to make sure equipment and ducts are properly sized and sealed Make sure recessed lights are sealed Store chemicals in tightly sealed containers Control humidity and temperature: - Power humidifier - Bypass humidifier - SignatureStat™ Home Comfort Control Thermostats	Controls the sources of pollutants in your home Maintains a proper balance of temperature, humidity and airflow	Minimizes the buildup of pollutants Enhances comfort, efficiency and air quality
Ventilate	Heat-Recovery Ventilator (HRV) Energy-Recovery Ventilator (ERV) Ventilation Control System (VCS)	HRV/ERV – Exchanges and dilutes contaminated indoor air with fresher, cleaner outside air VCS – Draws in fresher, cleaner outside air	Provides the fresh-air feel of an open window, without the energy/heat loss or safety risks • Enhances comfort • Improves air quality by reducing concentrations of chemicals, fumes, carbon dioxide and other contaminants
Clean	High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) system Electronic Air Cleaner High-Efficiency Media Air Cleaner (PMAC) High-Efficiency Box Media Cleaner (BMAC) MERV 8 Air Filter Germicidal Lights	Destroys* and/or traps contaminants	Improves air quality by reducing concentrations of pollen, dust mites, dirt, pet dander, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, fungi, odors and chemical vapors Enhances comfort Helps protect furnishings Helps prevent discoloration of walls and ceilings

Air Quality Products

Visit our Air Quality Products page for details about air purifiers, furnaces, electronic air cleaners, bypass humidifiers, and fan-powered humidifiers.

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