One of the most wonderful things about the Quad Cities is the variety of homes in our neighborhoods. There are a lot of areas of the country where every house in every neighborhood looks the same, as if they’ve been stamped onto lots with cookie cutters. We have a lot of beautiful new homes in the area, and we have a lot of wonderful old homes. Whether your home is a hundred years old or you just built your house last week, air quality is of utmost importance.
According to the EPA, one of the most common indoor air pollutants is just too much moisture in the air. It’s not the moisture on its own that’s the problem, it’s how moisture interacts with other substances and building materials. Moisture creates mold. It also creates the perfect environment for bacteria.
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. There’s a good chance you had a radon test when you purchased your home. For peace of mind, you can buy a radon testing kit for around $30 to double check. The National Center for Environmental Health has recommendations for next steps if you find dangerous levels of radon in your home.
With so many older homes in the Quad Cities, asbestos can be a problem. The American Lung Association recommends hiring professionals to remove products such as asbestos. If there’s asbestos in your basement or attic, it may be best to just leave it alone. If left undisturbed, it’s unlikely to shed particles. However, if it’s in an area that sees a lot of activity, could be rattled by a furnace firing up, or you need to remodel, hire professionals to mask up and remove it safely.
We’re expecting a cold winter this year. Your heater will be doing extra work, and that fan could be blowing contaminants around your house. It’s worth following some of the tips from the links in this blog to make sure your home is safe.
