Biological pollutants are present in all homes and have been linked to some types of illness and disease. However, many of these symptoms could be caused by something unrelated to your home’s indoor environment, so it can be difficult to determine whether the symptoms are related to bad indoor air quality. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- If you have recently moved into a new house, did your symptoms only start during or after the move? The same would apply if you have recently remodeled your home or had some work done on it like installing storm windows, weather stripping, insulation, or any kind of energy conservation work.
- Do you or any family members suffer from feeling tired or dizzy? Do they experience frequent headaches, stuffy nose, dry throat, fevers, difficulty breathing and wheezing, etc.? If so, do these symptoms tend to go away when you spend any time outside of the home?
- Does moisture collect on hard surfaces such as windows, walls, and ceilings, and does the air feel humid?
- Have there been any problems with moisture intrusion? Do you smell a moldy or musty odor in the home or are there signs of mildew or mold?
- Have you thoroughly cleaned all your air conditioners or humidifiers recently or has it been some time since you last did it?
- Are there problems with cockroaches or rodents in your home?
If you are answering yes to some or all of these questions, it is possible that biological pollutants are creating a poor indoor air environment in your home. Of course, it’s important to see a doctor when experiencing these symptoms but, don’t forget to tell your physician this information as it will help them to make an accurate diagnosis.