Air pollution is a theme that’s touched upon in the news quite frequently. In the U.S., air pollution has actually been getting better in recent years. In other parts of the world it’s terrible, and getting worse.
But did you know that some of the most polluted air you breathe on a regular basis might be inside your own home? It’s called indoor air pollution, and it can represent a serious threat to your family’s health.
According to the American Lung Association, indoor air pollution “…can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer, and chronic diseases such as asthma. In addition, it can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue.”
And indoor air pollution can be a particularly insidious problem because people often don’t know that their indoor air quality is poor, or even dangerous. So day in and day out they are constantly breathing air that may eventually cause illnesses or even death – all unknowingly, from the comfort of their own home.
A Major Cause of Indoor Air Pollution
Many things can impact the quality of the air within your home. Even items like household furniture and carpeting can potentially leach noxious chemicals into the air.
But recently, attention has turned to attached garages as a major source of indoor pollutants. That’s not a surprise when you consider all the ‘stuff’ that’s stored in a typical garage. Things like:
- Cans of paint
- Pesticides and fertilizers for the lawn and garden
- Oil and gas
- Lubricants
- Lawnmowers and landscaping equipment
- And of course, cars
All of these items vent pollutants into the air. Even things like sealed paint cans can contribute to the contamination of the air. And we’re not talking about simply some unpleasant smells and odors. We’re talking serious chemical contaminants, the kind that can cause severe health issues.
Add to the list above all of the dirt and dust that accumulates in a typical garage. Every time somebody simply walks through a dirty garage they stir up countless millions of airborne particles, many of which make their way into the living area of the house.
It’s safe to say that the typical attached garage is an air pollutant factory, cranking out a smorgasbord of health-threatening chemicals and contaminants. And all of those pollutants find their way into the home through doorways as people come and go, through the gaps around closed doors, through vents and ductwork, and in some cases even through walls.
A Simple Solution…
Though many people aren’t even aware of it, the indoor air pollution that can be caused by garages is a serious, health-threatening problem in many households. But it’s also a problem that is easily alleviated.
The answer is simple: Clean and organize your garage (or let us do it for you), and then keep it that way. And keep all the noxious stuff stored outside of the garage, like in a detached shed. Those simple steps are all it takes to virtually eliminate what could be a very serious threat to your family’s health.
Besides, you’ll get a lot more enjoyment from your cleaned-up, organized garage. Eliminating a major source of indoor air pollution is just one of the benefits of a garage makeover.