Indoor air pollution is a key contributor to the global burden of diseases. There is convincing evidence of the adverse effects of indoor air pollution on human health wherein young children are one of the most vulnerable groups. The respiratory system is a primary target for minute pollutants causing a wide range of acute and chronic diseases.
It’s petrifying, isn’t it?
Our children spend almost 90% of their time indoors; therefore, you must ensure a healthy and clean indoor environment for the well-being of your child.
Moreover, your HVAC system recirculates your air up to seven times a day, carrying with it dust, debris, and even mold. The gradual buildup of contaminants and germs within your air ducts can severely impact the quality of the air your child breathes.
That is why it is essential to get your air ducts cleaned a minimum of twice a year for better indoor air quality. It is especially important to do so before the onset of summer when the ac is unused during the winter months.
Why is indoor air pollution especially harmful to children?
Children face major risks from indoor air pollution because their lungs are growing and they inhale a higher amount of air.
Moreover, several studies have found that air pollution can cause harm to children while they are still in the womb.
Long exposure to polluted air can cause an increased risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. Babies who are born early are more susceptible to several health issues such as lower-respiratory infections, risk of brain damage, inflammation, pneumonia, and more. Low birth weight and preterm birth due to polluted air are some of the leading risk factors that cause lung problems in infants. This contributes to an estimated 1.8 million premature deaths worldwide.
Just like other body parts, the largest portion of a child’s lungs keeps on growing after they are born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth and this is where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place.
If your child is exposed to indoor air pollution over a long period of time, they might be at risk of:
- 👉 developing asthma during childhood or as an adult – and if they have asthma already, air pollution can make it worse
- 👉 coughing
- 👉 acute lower respiratory infection in children under five years
- 👉 infections like pneumonia
- 👉 skin rash and allergies
The lungs aren’t fully developed until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults combat numerous infections are still in the developing phase in children. As a result, the younger generation is more susceptible to respiratory infections in comparison to adults. This in turn also increases a child’s susceptibility to indoor air pollution.
Do you often find your child sneezing and are unaware of the reason? One of the main reasons could be that they are breathing in contaminated air originating from the AC ducts that haven’t been cleaned in months. This contaminated air can easily aggravate conditions like asthma in children and is also capable of causing serious health problems in adults.
When the air ducts are not cleaned, small dust particles, pet dander, and other contaminants get stuck in the air vents and accumulate over time. Therefore when the air ducts are used, these contaminants are circulated and distributed throughout the house. Breathing this polluted air may not only cause allergic reactions but in the long run, it may cause other severe respiratory diseases in children.
How can Tanziif help?
People who ignore duct cleaning have to keep in mind the consequences of a dirty environment and many other health issues for their children. Regular cleaning of air ducts is a proven solution that can help stop serious health issues originating from indoor air pollution. This is why it is essential to hire professional HVAC cleaning services to maintain a healthy indoor living environment.