Air Quality Info
Air Quality in Honolulu, HI
“Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations."
- EPA's Report on the Environment, July 2018
What are the main factors in indoor air quality?
Having proper indoor air quality in Honolulu is of crucial importance for your health, general wellbeing, and even energy efficiency. However, mold isn't the only factor that can contribute to poorer indoor air quality. Other factors include:
- Chemicals: Certain offensive smells in the air can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, caused sometimes by chemicals, but also by factors such as dry air. While the smells themselves are not harmful, they can cause unpleasant effects and increase symptoms such as headache, nausea, and irritation of eyes or throat. The health risks are not always well known, especially over the long run.
- Airborne particles: Certain particles in the air are known to cause adverse health effects, including affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Particles may in part come from outdoor pollution, but can also because of burning fuel, or by reactions between ozone and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Microbes: Microorganisms such as fungi and viruses may play a role in the development of asthma and allergies involving the airways. This is especially rampant in damper buildings with mold.
- Virus infections may also be transmitted indoors, sometimes leading to asthma or allergies.
- Pets and pests: Indoors, pests, house dust mites, cockroaches, and – in inner cities in particular – mice are important sources of allergens. They can cause diseases in the airways, rhinitis, and asthma. Exposure varies depending on the type of environment and cultural habits. How much contact with pets affects the development of asthma in people remains unclear, but contact with the substances causing allergic reactions should be limited as much as possible.
- Humidity: There is an optimal level of humidity in indoor air. Too low humidity can cause eye irritation, dry skin, and rashes, while too much humidity results in water damage and mold growth.
- Ventilation: This is single-handedly one of the most important factors when it comes to determining indoor air quality. Poorly-ventilated offices and schools, for instance, can affect health and work or academic performance. Controlled ventilation is especially needed in heavily insulated buildings that have little to no natural air exchange.
- Temperature: As well as causing discomfort, indoor air that is very cold or hot is highly unhealthy. If the air is too warm, for example, this could aggravate the effects of a lack of humidity.
Everyone deserves a healthy home with great air quality and an overall healthy living environment. At AirCare Hawaii, our aim is to help our customers live in healthy homes. A healthy home is a happy home—so let us help you live in a home that makes you happy!
What makes a home healthy?
- Dry: If your home and environment aren't dry, this can lead to excessive mold growth, causing structural damage and allergic symptoms, as well as possibly even asthma.
- Clean: Dirty homes bring unwanted pests (such as cockroaches), as well as dust mites, leading to various respiratory issues.
- Pest-free: Rodents are highly unsanitary and carry diseases, and urine and pest droppings can lead to allergy symptoms and asthma attacks.
- Ventilated: With proper ventilation, your home will have less indoor pollution, as well as stay dry and dilute VOCs and smoke.
- Safe: If you keep your home safe, you can prevent injuries such as falls or fires.
- Maintained: If you don't maintain your home and neglect its upkeep, it's at risk for moisture and pest problems.
- Energy efficient: Improving appliance efficiency helps to reduce your water, resource, and energy consumption, which helps to maintain proper cooling and insulation.
Reach out to us for assistance in keeping your home healthy!
