Indoor Air Quality Issues Arise from Use of Everyday Products

Whenever you read the news and air pollution is involved, it is often centered around the discussion of large urban areas. Places from New York City to Beijing get scrutinized for the amount of pollution their large communities send into the air. On the especially bad days, you can even see it with the naked eye, rather than having to have a scientist tell you what is going on.

Many people consider the inside of their own home a sanctuary from these pollutants, but contrary to popular belief, your living room might not be much better. For as many things as you use in the confines of your home, it’s worth considering whether you might require indoor air quality, carbon monoxide or radon testing in Aspen, CO. Some of the biggest culprits of indoor air quality issues are candles, incense and burning wood. Here are some things to take into consideration:

• Wood smoke emissions exist: Just because you have a chimney or a standard wood-burning stove, it doesn’t mean you are completely in the clear. Imagine closing off your chimney and letting smoke fill the room. The thing to realize is that, even though you are pushing most of the smoke out, there are still certain pollutants that stick around. This smoke includes carcinogens and other hazards like benzene and formaldehyde. It’s important to make sure everything is going out and nothing is staying in.
• Scented candles might not be worth it: Candles certainly smell good and can set the perfect ambience, but it’s important to remember that something is burning. If you would never smoke a cigarette inside, it’s important to consider what exactly your candle is made of and what it can emit. Most candles today are made of paraffin, which originates from petroleum. Anytime you burn a product with a tie to petroleum, the result will be carcinogenic toxins being pushed into the air. This is like burning fuel.
• What you see is what you get with incense: Just because there are years of traditions behind burning incense, that doesn’t mean it is harmless. Seeing smoke hit the air from these products can be no different than burning anything else. There are hundreds of different incense options for purchase, and the smoke that most of them produce is likely to have adverse effects on air quality.
• Possible alternatives: Like with most things in life, there are healthy alternatives to some of the things we love the most. If you burn wood in your fireplace or stove, make sure you know where it is coming from and if it has been treated with any chemicals. For people who burn lots of candles, consider only purchasing beeswax or soy products. Just because there is a product on the market, that doesn’t mean it can’t impact your daily air intake.

If you have used any combustible products in your home, it would be smart to consider carbon monoxide or radon testing in Aspen, CO. HealthSafe Inspections Inc. has been testing air quality in the Aspen area for over two decades in both residential and commercial properties. Going on the hunt for a variety of indoor air contaminants is the perfect way to prevent any long-term problems. Call us today to schedule a visit!

Categorised in: Indoor Air Quality

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