Did you know that there could be chemicals and substances lurking in your indoor air that could potentially be affecting your health? These air pollutants can lead to serious health conditions, including lung disease. In honor of Mesothelioma Awareness Day this September 26th, continue reading to learn about the importance of high-quality indoor air and how it can help prevent this lung cancer.
Mesothelioma Cancer Explained
The only known cause of mesothelioma lung cancer is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a group of natural minerals that are chemical and heat-resistant. Because it makes an excellent additive for safety precautions, it was commonly used in construction materials before the 1980s when it was discovered to be a carcinogen.
Unfortunately, asbestos can still be found in many buildings today. If the material is disrupted, the particles can become airborne and can’t be seen with the naked eye, but can easily be breathed in or ingested. Since mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, it’s important to keep buildings safe and check for asbestos.
Mesothelioma cancer has a long latency period, meaning that it can take up to 50 years for symptoms to arise after initial exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms often overlap with other common symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Other Lung Diseases
Aside from mesothelioma cancer, many other respiratory issues can be caused by indoor air pollutants that aren’t always easy to identify in the air.
Commonly found pollutants trapped indoors include:
- Bacteria
- Lead
- Formaldehyde
- Mold
- Radon
- Secondhand smoke
Common lung diseases caused by indoor air pollutants include:
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Lung cancer
If you or a family member begins to have persistent illness symptoms that you can’t seem to get a grasp on, it’s important to visit the doctor and check your home for toxins in the air. You could have the cleanest house on the block, but that doesn’t guarantee your air quality is clean. If you suspect that there might be something lingering around, check with an indoor air quality specialist to conduct a thorough inspection for hidden air pollutants and get their professional advice for the next steps.
The Role Of Air Purification Systems
Humans spend a good portion of their time indoors, creating ample opportunity to be exposed to indoor air pollutants. This is why it’s crucial that the air we breathe, whether it’s at work, at school, or out in public, is clean because the air we breathe truly affects our health.
To keep your air quality at home up to par, consider purchasing an air purifier for a better quality of life and health. Having a reliable system to keep the air clean is an investment in your health and will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re keeping your family’s lungs safe.
Our air purification systems work to purify 99.95% of particles and reduce odors and gasses. Check and control the air quality in your home in real time with the Ventra App.
What To Do If You’ve Been Exposed To Air Pollutants
If you or a loved one have been exposed to a lung disease causing air pollutants in the past, such as asbestos or formaldehyde, try not to panic right away. There are resources available to help guide you through the next steps and to figure out what’s best.
Since it can’t be predicted if you will be diagnosed with lung disease, the best thing to do is pay attention to any symptoms that may arise and speak with your doctor. They’ll be able to schedule regular testing for various lung diseases to increase the chances of early detection.
Aside from this, do the best you can to improve the air quality of your home and be cautious of how you feel in other buildings. If you notice that you’re always stuffy or have watery eyes in certain buildings that you frequent, consider speaking with the building manager or exiting as quickly as you can. Be an advocate for yourself and the air you breathe indoors.
Lastly, once you have cleaned the toxins from your home, make sure you continuously monitor the air quality of your home. Residential air quality test kits allow homeowners to test for the most common toxins that may be present in their home environment. These kits are great to keep on hand and will help keep any concerns about a