Improving Air Quality to Protect From COVID-19 (Part 2)

How Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Affects Illnesses

It has been concluded by the scientific community that those with underlying conditions such as chronic lung diseases, heart disease, diabetes, and more, are at risk of developing more serious illness if they catch COVID-19. But what is seldom discussed is that indoor air pollution, which impacts people 2-5 times more than outdoor air pollution, can exacerbate such conditions, which in turn makes people who suffer from them more susceptible to severe cases of the coronavirus. People spend around 90% of their time indoors, especially during pandemic lockdowns, which has contributed to rising chances of respiratory health problems.

A recent study done by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) concluded that “Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring systems are crucial in the current pandemic scenario as an enhanced instrument to ensure the quality of the building ventilation systems.” In the same study, they also found that symptoms in patients who are regularly exposed to air pollution were far more severe than those who were not.

The Importance of Ventilation and IAQ Monitoring Systems

“The real-time monitoring of IAQ, along with adequate measures for enhanced ventilation facilities promote the overall health and well-being in the community. Consequently, these systems promote public health and make people less vulnerable to infectious diseases such as COVID-19.” -NCBI

One of the unseen repercussions of the coronavirus lockdowns is that while staying indoors/away from crowds does minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19, it also exposes you to harmful airborne pathogens that are commonly found in the home. Many indoor environments are not properly equipped with modern IAQ ventilation and monitoring systems, meaning that long-term exposure to even basic household chemicals can be harmful to your immune system. This in turn makes COVID-19 more severe if you contract it. This is especially true for asthmatics or for those who suffer from other respiratory illnesses.

Moreover, because the coronavirus does not have any known treatment methods, indoor air pollution mitigation has become the next frontier in terms of severe illness prevention. Quality indoor air monitoring and ventilation systems can not only curb the spread of the virus, but can strengthen your immune system and minimize the disease’s severity in the case that you do become infected.

Purify Your Air With Aftermath

Indoor Science, part of Aftermath Environmental Quality Services, is the nationally recognized expert in providing training and consulting in indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and environmental sciences. Together, we keep people safe from viruses, bacteria, mold, asbestos, radon, and a myriad of other airborne hazards.

To start protecting yourself and those around you from harmful airborne pathogens, call us at 877-697-3671.

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