You might not think coughing is a serious health issue, since most people cough at least once every day. But it depends on what specifically is triggering your cough. Coughs can be linked to illnesses, but they can also be related to your indoor air quality — and it’s just as much a cause for concern.
What Causes Coughing?
Coughing is a natural response to something that’s irritating your body, such as ultrafine particulate matter (PM). PM consists of mold, fiberglass, allergens, silicates, and dust that can enter your body simply by breathing.
The air around us is filled with PM, and when PM levels rise, it could cause excessive coughing as your body tries to get rid of the particles you’re inhaling.
Studies have shown that air pollution on its own is enough to cause coughing, and is particularly dangerous to indoor environments. PM created by poor airflow or contaminated air ducts cannot exit buildings because modern building are tightly sealed. When PM levels are high, you may cough or sneeze more than normal, and may even continue to do so until the air quality returns to a safe level.
Indoor Air Quality Can Cause Health Problems
If you’re coughing while indoors, don’t brush it off as allergies or a “tickle” in your throat.
If it’s poor indoor air quality that’s causing you to cough, it could eventually lead to health problems like asthma, eye, nose, and throat irritation, respiratory issues, cardiovascular issues, and even cancer.
Homes and buildings are tightly sealed, thanks to modern technology and building methods. While good news for your power bill your indoor pollution keeps rising.
Coughing could be a sign that your indoor air quality isn’t optimal and will only get worse if you don’t address it.
How to Tell if Your Indoor Air Quality is Bad
Coughing is enough of a red flag to have you second guessing your air quality, but it’s not the only one.
Stale or stuffy air and humidity are also good indicators your air isn’t moving through your home. Broken or dirty HVAC systems don’t function at their highest capacity and won’t do your air quality any favors. Also, new carpet, furniture, and renovations can trigger coughing.
The only way to know for certain is to have your air professionally tested. At Indoor Doctor, we instantly measure ultrafine particulate matter using a laser particle scanner. Additionally, we send air samples to a laboratory for analysis. Knowing what specifically is in your air can help you decide how best to proceed in eliminating it.
Contact us today to schedule your indoor air quality test. Breathe easier knowing that help is just one test away!