Valentine’s Day is the ideal time for giving a loved one thoughtful gifts and enjoying a romantic evening. However, some common gifts for this holiday can have a harmful effect on the quality of your home’s indoor air.
Here are a few IAQ concerns that some Valentine’s Day gifts can raise.
Valentine’s Day and IAQ
Which types of Valentine’s Day presents can have an impact on your indoor air quality? Perfumes, candles, and flowers can all affect your IAQ. Some perfumes and candles can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These gases can enter the air in your home and cause health issues that range from mild to more severe. Flowers don’t produce VOCs, but their scent could cause headaches or other health issues in those who are allergic.
Common IAQ Concerns
What are some common IAQ concerns associated with VOCs? These compounds can cause short-term health issues when you’re exposed to them. Some common short-term problems you might experience include eye irritation, headaches, lung irritation, and dizziness. In some people, VOCs can cause memory problems or visual disorders.
While candles and perfumes don’t last for years, giving them as Valentine’s Day presents year after year could raise the risk of long-term exposure. The long-term health effects of the VOCs from these gifts can lead to fatigue, nausea, and more serious damage, such as kidney damage.
Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
Don’t let VOCs ruin your Valentine’s Day plans. If you want to give candles or perfume as gifts, look for ones that contain more natural ingredients and don’t produce VOCs. You can also use air purifiers or air filters to help reduce VOCs in your home and improve your indoor air quality. Taking these steps can allow you to enjoy Valentine’s Day without having to worry about your IAQ.
If you have IAQ concerns for your Dayton home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We can help ensure that your home has healthy indoor air.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
