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Thousands of Canadians are at a health risk due to the ongoing wildfires and increase in air pollution since early 2023. Forest fires have increased air pollution, leaving people to feel the effects of unhealthy air more than usual. 

What you might not realize is that your indoor air quality is also suffering as smoke and fine particulate matter enter buildings and houses. If left unchecked, everyone is vulnerable to the severe health effects of pollution exposure.

In this blog, we’ll help you better understand the health risks, as well as five helpful tips to manage the effects of lower-quality indoor air. 

How Do Canadian Wildfires Affect Indoor Air Quality?

While wildfires are common in Canada, this year’s outset is the worst the country has experienced in over 30 years. More people are being exposed to respiratory risks with the fires having burned down almost 11 million hectares of forest nationwide. 

Unfortunately, the solution is not as simple as staying inside. Smoke finds its way into homes through open doors, windows, or holes you didn’t know existed. This intrusive smoke exposes your body to high concentrations of indoor air contaminants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. 

Deviation from the Canadian indoor air quality standards poses many risks. However, the most prominent health threat is the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) scattered throughout the air—these microscopic-sized particles enter your lungs and cause health problems.

What Are the Effects of Poor Air Quality on Human Health?

Repeated exposure to indoor air contaminants and fine particles can trigger or exacerbate existing symptoms, especially for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic conditions. Health effects of air pollution exposure may include: 

• Burning eyes
• Runny nose
• Irritation
• Wheezing and shortness of breath
• Worsened coughs
• Premature death
• Respiratory diseases
• Lung disease
• Cardiovascular disease
  

5 Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Wildfires are your wake-up call to make changes at home. Implementing these five can have a serious impact on your health: 

1. Conduct Air Sampling

Conducting air sampling identifies what air contaminants are present in your home. Professionals use special devices to detect the concentration levels of gases, vapours, dust, and other fibres present in the air. 

The results are then used to inform recommended safety measures—consider getting air sampling done in your home to put you on the right track.

2. Eliminate Drafts 

Leaving your windows and doors open distributes air pollutants and soot in your home, deteriorating the quality of your air. It’s best to keep them closed when possible if you’re living in an area where wildfires are raging.

Also look to seal all drafts in your home, including the vents and filters. Volatile organic compounds can sneak in through these holes, disturbing your indoor air.

3. Use Purifiers & Humidifiers

Installing an air purifier is a great way to keep your air healthy, especially if you choose ones with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. They work by straining, intercepting, and diffusing the following large to nano-sized particles:  

• Ultrafine particulate matter (PM2.5)
• Pet allergens
• Pollen
• Bacteria
• Mould
• Viruses

Humidifiers can also improve the quality of your indoor air by adding moisture, but their efficiency drops after some time. That’s why humidifier maintenance is necessary to avoid breakdowns and inevitable repairs. 

4. Keep Your House Clean

Cleanliness, health, and your air are all connected—dirty homes are breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. Here’s a general cleaning checklist you can follow:

• Wipe tabletops, countertops, and other surfaces once a week to prevent dust accumulation
• Use a lint roll to remove hair on clothes and furniture
• Clean your refrigerator once a month to prevent bacteria buildup
• Vacuum your carpets, floors, and furniture
• Throw away trash bags daily 
• Keep all surfaces dry to prevent mould formation

5. Conduct Regular HVAC Maintenance

Have you checked the health of your HVAC systems lately? 

The importance of their air-balancing effects cannot be overstated. When neglected, you’re liable to find yourself with heating and cooling systems that are distributing pollutants throughout your home, only compounding your problems. 

The solution to this problem is regular HVAC maintenance. Start with manual tasks like cleaning HVAC air filters and sweeping debris away from outdoor units. Book an appointment with an HVAC technician for the following work:

• Detecting and sealing air leaks in your ducts and vents
• Removing obstructions forming inside furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioners
• Draining the lines of air conditioning units

Fight Air Pollution With LG Home Comfort

While you can’t control the wildfires, you most definitely can do your part to keep your indoor air as high-quality as possible. Doing these five things is great, but contacting the experts at LG Home Comfort is the key to improving air quality.

Our specialized services are perfect solutions for the long-term effects of reduced air quality. Our team of highly-qualified professionals is ready to assist you in your efforts to keep your home a healthy place for your loved ones. 

Schedule an appointment with us today!