It’s not that the outdoor air in southern regions is clean and thus a fresh air system isn’t needed. On the contrary, the long periods of heat mean that air conditioning is used for extended periods. Since we spend more than 80% of our time indoors, indoor air quality has a far greater impact on our health than outdoor air quality. Long-term use of air conditioning in a sealed room can actually lead to significant air pollution.
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Often Worse?
1. Formaldehyde
After a home is renovated, furniture and materials release a variety of harmful gases when exposed to heat.
One of the biggest concerns when moving into a newly renovated home is formaldehyde. Its harmful effects last a long time and can be quite serious. Most formaldehyde problems are due to substandard building materials. Formaldehyde often embeds itself in furniture, flooring, and paint, and it’s released gradually over time. Formaldehyde, along with other harmful pollutants like benzene, can cause severe health issues—acute leukemia is often linked to homes recently renovated with improper materials.
2. Indoor Air Pollution
Activities inside the home, such as using household appliances or the infiltration of external air, contribute to the growth of harmful microorganisms inside. These pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and mycoplasma, can make people seriously ill. This is why purifying indoor air is so important.
3. Secondhand Smoke
If a family member smokes indoors, who is addressing the issue of secondhand smoke?
Secondhand smoke contains more than 3,000 harmful chemicals. In addition to causing lung cancer, smoking is linked to a variety of serious diseases, including oral cancer, throat cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, and other types of malignant tumors. Smoking also contributes to respiratory issues like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The dangers of secondhand smoke are even more severe for children’s health.
4. Dust Mites
Dust mite-induced asthma is an inhalant type of asthma that usually begins in childhood. It often occurs in children with a history of eczema or chronic bronchitis. The most characteristic symptoms are sudden, repeated asthma attacks, along with chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, cyanosis due to oxygen deprivation. Therefore, aside from addressing the dust mites, maintaining a clean living environment is crucial.
5. Pollen
People allergic to pollen experience symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and nasal congestion, especially during peak pollen seasons. Children are particularly vulnerable. Due to their inability to express their discomfort clearly, children with pollen allergies may show signs of irritation, fatigue, and aggression. This is why air quality and cleanliness are so important for them.
6. Humidity
The subtropical monsoon climate in southern regions is characterized by humidity and frequent rainfall. Spring and summer often bring high humidity, which is normal, but the climate can also bring challenges like typhoons in the autumn and constant rain in the winter. High indoor humidity can lead to a host of issues:
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Mold and mildew can form on walls, furniture, and personal items, causing damage.
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Health risks arise from humidity, including skin allergies and rheumatic pain.
Solution: A Fresh Air System
Installing a fresh air system can significantly improve indoor air quality by ensuring a constant flow of clean air while controlling humidity. A system with a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery ventilator (ERV) is particularly effective. These systems reduce energy loss by recovering heat or moisture from exhaust air and transferring it to incoming fresh air, making them perfect for maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
By addressing issues like formaldehyde, dust mites, secondhand smoke, and humidity, a fresh air system can make your home much more comfortable and healthy—ultimately creating a healthier environment for you and your family.