This is what’s in your indoor air.

Indoor air pollution takes many forms, and it can be much more harmful than outdoor pollution. The sources of contamination vary from natural things like mold and pollen to synthetic materials like household products and pesticides. Even the materials used to build homes can include things like asbestos, formaldehyde, and lead. That’s just the short list of the contaminants that might be present in your home. Understanding how harmful these substances can be makes it clear that we need to be changing air filters on a regular basis to protect not just our homes, but our health.

 

Mold and Pollen

 

The four most common natural indoor pollutants are mold, pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. Mold can create serious health problems, especially black mold. When we can see mold in our homes, we know we’re breathing in spores, but they can be present in the air long before we can actually see mold itself. Pollen can create severe allergies for people who are sensitive to it. Every time and door or window is opened, pollen gets in.

 

Pet Dander and Dust Mites

 

For pet owners, dander is always an issue. For everyone else, even our own skin cells shed, creating an environment perfect for dust mites to thrive. When we see dust floating around our homes, that’s generally what we’re seeing. And yes, even dust mites use the bathroom so think of that the next time you’re dusting the banister. A good filter can remove all these contaminants from the circulating air and entering your lungs.

 

Household Products and Pesticides

 

Products we use for cleaning and getting rid of pests are another common pollutant in homes. Every time we spray anything in the home, or use a chemical with a strong smell, we can be certain that its particles are circulating in the air we breathe. Because it’s unrealistic for most people to completely stop using chemicals—even in the most organic of households—it’s important to make sure your air filters are working to remove them from the circulating air as quickly as possible.

 

Asbestos, Formaldehyde, and Lead

 

Older homes tend to have asbestos. The substance was banned in the early 80’s so homes built during or before that time are likely to have asbestos present. Old paint formulas used lead as an ingredient.  In homes with old paint, lead particles are very likely to be released over time, even if the paint is left undisturbed. Laminate flooring often contains formaldehyde. That can be present even in the newest homes. Air filters that can remove these harmful substances are crucial for clean indoor air.

 

When choosing the right air filter for your home, it’s not always necessary to buy the one with the highest MERV rating. Doing that can actually put a strain on your HVAC system if you don’t know your system well or change your filter often. The wiser option is to consider what pollutants are in your home, and make sure to get a filter that’s capable of trapping those particular types of particles. Grabfilters.com makes it easy to choose the right filters and have them delivered right to your door.

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