The quality of the air in your home is essential for keeping you and your family healthy. Poor indoor air quality can cause breathing problems, skin issues and other health problems that are easily avoided.

But sometimes, indoor air quality can be more than just an issue of dusty air or mold. These are some of the most dangerous indoor air pollutants that can cause serious health issues, but may be present in your home.

Asbestos

Asbestos isn’t used in building products anymore (it used to be a main ingredient in floor tiles, shingles, flashing, insulation, caulking and more), but older houses and office buildings may still contain asbestos. Asbestos can cause major health problems if you’re exposed to it, and even regular wear and tear can cause the particles to become airborne.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is not just used in your high school science classroom. This strong-smelling and colourless gas is used in many building materials and products, but it can even be found in clothing to keep it from shrinking or wrinkling. Formaldehyde is a known cause of cancer, so it’s not something you want high levels of in your home.

Radon

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the US, and is a naturally-occurring substance in soil and water. It can enter your home through your foundation, so it’s important to make sure your foundation is in good condition. You can get home radon tests to measure your home’s radon levels yourself, but trained professionals are also available to conduct tests for you.

VOCs

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, can be present in our homes for a number of reasons. They’re often present in household cleaners, hobby supplies, furniture, fuels, dry cleaning and other common household products. Higher levels of VOCs can result in headaches and dizziness, and can also cause cancer. Read product labels to make sure you’re not bringing unwanted VOCs into your home.

Biological Contaminants

Some of the most common contributors to poor indoor air quality and health symptoms are biological contaminants, which can include everything from mold to bacteria, mildew, animal dander, saliva, and even mites and cockroaches. They can cause asthma and other breathing problems, so keeping your home clean and the humidity levels low can really make a big difference to the quality of your home’s air.

At Bryan’s Fuel in Orangeville, we offer a wide range of whole-home solutions for improving indoor air quality. From air purifiers to filtration systems, we have everything you need to keep you and your family breathing easy.