Why the Air Inside Your Home is More Toxic Than Outside

When we think about air pollution, our minds often go to car emissions, big cities, and toxic factory waste. But according to the EPA, the air indoors can actually be two to five times more polluted than outdoor levels show.  

The EPA also notes that while any one source of indoor airborne toxins might not be enough to create serious risks for you and your family, most homes have a number of active contaminants and conditions that affect air quality.

Luckily though, it's something we can actively control.

So let's take a closer look. Here are the most common reasons why the air inside your home is actually more toxic than outside. It'll help you identify areas of concern — and make essential changes in your household to

eliminate the threats.

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1. Ventilation Issues 

Most homes are constructed to reduce the amount of air that can travel inside. Even improved insulation and sealed door and window frames — while important to moderating temperature — can trap toxic air within your home. 

It's also common to not keep windows open all the time. In one study of 108 California homes , 32% of individuals were not using their windows at all, and nearly every home analyzed had too-high concentrations of formaldehyde as a result.

2.  High Humidity

When moisture and heat build up in enclosed spaces, biological pollutants are given the perfect environment to grow. Experts rank high humidity, along with poor ventilation, among the most significant factors of poor indoor air quality.  

The most common biological pollutants to thrive in humidity are mold spores, viruses, and bacteria. It's also important to not forget animal dander and dust mites, which are particularly dangerous to individuals suffering from allergies or asthma. They can easily go airborne when dusting, but they also lurk in bedding and carpeting.

3. Buildup of Pollutants

Because the air inside your home isn't circulating the way it does in open spaces, toxins end up accumulating over time. It's not simply that poor ventilation and higher moisture levels promote their survival in the first place — it's also that they linger and worsen without any room to dissipate. 

From toxic materials in your cabinetry and furniture to the use of household cleaning chemicals, most individuals are consistently inhaling airborne contaminants and putting themselves at risk of long-term detriment. In fact, studies show that people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors — which means that the ongoing existence of toxic elements in your home is further compounded by constant exposure.

So how can you treat a toxicity problem at its source? For starters, check your home's ventilation capabilities and be conscious about managing humidity levels. Keep air moving through your home as much as possible, and stay on top of biological pollutant risks like mold, bacteria, animal dander, and dust. 

But just as importantly: make changes to the products you use. Opt for non-toxic solutions that mitigate poor indoor air quality. It's a simple adjustment entirely in your control. 

For every wall repair project to come, try SafeMend Non-Toxic Wall Mending Agent. It's 100% safe for people, pets, and the environment — and it gets the job done with total peace of mind. 

Happy fixing!

SafeMend™ Team