When we hear of “air pollution,” most of us picture smokestacks, traffic, or hazy city skies. But the air in your home could be two to five times higher in pollution than the air outside. That’s a startling fact when you consider that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we spend up to 90% of our time indoors. And yet, we often don’t give much thought to what we’re breathing inside our walls.
Your home may be hiding contaminants and pollutants that you can’t see or smell that could be affecting your family’s health. Let’s explore hidden indoor air pollutants, why Delaware homeowners face extra risk thanks to our humid climate, and how your choice of insulation can help improve indoor air quality in your home and protect your family.
Hidden Air Quality Concerns in Delaware Homes
VOCs and Indoor Allergens
Many everyday items in your home can release harmful chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like cleaning products, air fresheners, and paint. Even some building materials, like pressed-wood cabinets can release formaldehyde.
Other indoor air pollutants include:
- Particulate matter and allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and cooking smoke.
- Outdoor pollutants that sneak in through a poorly insulated or air sealed home.
- Microscopic particles (like PM5)that can potentially enter your lungs and bloodstream.
Exposure to particulate matter and VOCs can trigger ill health effects, such as asthma, or allergies.
Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Gases
Gas appliances like heaters or gas stoves can release dangerous gases. Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and deadly at high levels. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), another byproduct, can irritate your lungs. Tightly sealed homes need to take extra caution to vent these pollutants sufficiently so they don’t accumulate.
Moisture, Mold, and Your Home’s Air Quality
Too much moisture indoors invites mold, mildew, and dust mites to move in, all of which can cause or worsen asthma and allergies. Our muggy Delaware summers make things worse by creating a perfect mold-growing environment if you don’t control your indoor humidity.
According to the EPA, you should keep your home’s humidity levels below 60% (ideally 30%–50%) to discourage mold and pests. Common mold hot spots include:
- Basements, especially around rim joists or water leaks
- Crawl spaces and behind drywall
- Inside HVAC ducts
- Attics with roof leaks or bad ventilation
Breathing in mold spores can easily lead to coughing, skin rashes, eye irritation, throat irritation, and more. Tackling moisture issues is an important way to protect your air. And keeping your humidity in the recommended range discourages dust mites and pests.
How Insulation Choices Affect Your Home’s Air
Insulation + Air Sealing as the Ultimate Barrier
When choosing an insulation, it’s important to note that insulation alone doesn’t stop polluted, outdoor air from entering your home and creating poor indoor air quality. While insulation creates a thermal barrier, air sealing is the “can’t miss” step that blocks out air pollutants like dust, pollen, and particulate matter. You can easily air seal your home before adding insulation.
You also might consider spray foam insulation. Spray foam is the only insulation material that insulates and air seals in one step to stop air leaks and heat transfer. And closed-cell spray foam serves as a vapor retarder too, blocking moist air from entering your home’s wall cavities and creating condensation.
Safe Material Matters
Many modern insulation products are made with indoor air safety in mind and are designed to emit little to no VOCs. Look for high-quality insulation materials labeled “low-VOC” or “formaldehyde-free” on reputable brands of spray foam, fiberglass, and mineral wool. These choices support good indoor air quality and keep harmful chemicals out of your home.
Ventilation: The Missing Piece
After sealing up leaks and boosting insulation, it’s just as important to “ventilate right.” Trapped indoor air can build up pollutants from cooking, paints, cleaning products, and more. Without proper ventilation, things get stuffy fast.
You can ensure adequate ventilation through controlled vents, exhaust fans, or mechanical ventilation systems like HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilators) and ERVs (Energy Recovery Ventilators). These will help remove stale air and bring in fresh air in a controlled way, working together with your insulation to achieve optimal indoor air quality.
Take Control of Your Indoor Air
You’ve learned that most of your exposure to pollutants happens inside your home. From the paint brush, plant and cleaning supplies in your closet to the moisture in your basement, the risks are real, but manageable.
Start by identifying potential issues:
- Do you notice musty odors or see moisture? Fix leaks, use dehumidifiers, and insulate moisture prone areas.
- Are you using safe products? Choose to use low-VOC paints, natural cleaning products, and healthy insulation materials.
- Is your home properly ventilated? Ensure adequate fresh air circulation, especially after sealing and insulating. Call in a pro to help design a system that keeps your air clean.
Creating a tight, energy-efficient home through upgraded insulation and air sealing actively bars pollutants from entering and helps prevent moisture issues that can lead to mold. But you must remember the balance of ensuring your home is also well-ventilated to make sure harmful air isn’t trapped and fresh air can circulate.
Don’t take your home’s air for granted. Be proactive and stay informed about hidden pollutants. Choosing to make smart choices, like managing your home’s humidity, controlling VOCs, and investing in better insulation, are valuable steps to take to improve indoor air quality and protect your loved ones.
Your Partner for Quality Indoor Air
Our experienced team at Delmarva Insulation is here to help. We’ve been providing expert insulation and air sealing services to homeowners and builders throughout Delaware since 2002. We provide the insulation and air sealing solutions you need for a safe and energy-efficient home. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate, get expert advice, and make sure the air quality in your home is as healthy as it should be.
References
Consumer Product Safety Commission. (n.d.). The inside story: A guide to indoor air quality. https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide-to-Indoor-Air-Quality
Delmarva Insulation. (n.d.). Three ways to minimize Delaware mold. https://delmarvainsulation.com/blog/three-ways-to-minimize-delaware-mold/
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Mold course chapter 2. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2
IEREK. (n.d.). Key indoor air pollutants and how insulation can help mitigate their effects. https://www.ierek.com/news/key-indoor-air-pollutants-and-how-insulation-can-help-mitigate-their-effects/
Lung.org. (n.d.). At home: Building type air resources. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/building-type-air-resources/at-home
Lung.org. (n.d.). Houseplants don’t clean air. https://www.lung.org/blog/houseplants-dont-clean-air
Washington State Department of Health. (n.d.). Indoor air quality. https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/air-quality/indoor-air
