Improving indoor air quality helps prevent the spread of harmful pathogens
COVID-19 has impacted a lot about the ways we keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. While masks and social distancing measures are visible tactics in reducing the risk of infection, the invisible air we breathe indoors can often be a source of contaminants. A recent article from USA Today discusses the role of indoor air quality (IAQ) plays in preventing the spread of COVID-19 indoors.
IAQ is a combination of the cleanliness of the air (no dust or pollen), humidity, temperature control, and odor. Whether at home, work, or in school, HVAC filtration and ventilation are two key components that help us manage and control the quality of our IAQ. With almost 90% of our time spent indoors, IAQ plays a critical role in our overall health and comfort.
- Ventilation is the process of bringing outdoor air into a home or building. Increasing ventilation with outside air has been proven to reduce the transmission of airborne diseases by lowering the concentration of infectious particles in the air.
- Filtration, on the other hand, is your HVAC system’s process of filtering – or purifying – the air that is being recirculated. Regularly changing and equipping good quality filters can help capture the fine particles produced by respiration that may contain harmful pathogens.
To read the full USA Today article about the role of IAQ in preventing the spread of COVID-19, click here. For more information about how to improve IAQ in your own home, check out our top 10 tips for homeowners to improve ventilation and indoor air quality.
