Why It Is Essential To Keep An Eye On Pollution Rates In Your Area
Until the Clear Act of 1970, truckers unlovingly nicknamed Birmingham “Smoke City” due to the smog that engulfed Alabama’s largest city. People went about their daily lives sidestepping the effects of the soot the best way they knew how. For example; George Maynard, founder of a well-respected law firm in town, kept a bowl of water next to his desk in order to wash his hands when handling documents as open windows ushered in dirty air from outside.
Because the pollution in Birmingham was so severe from the new and mostly unregulated steel mills, one year after the Clean Air Act was passed, a local judge shut down over 20 industries that were not complying with new regulations. It was time to see if the Clean Air Act would in fact help lower pollution rates, and Birmingham was in the spotlight.
Though the tangible soot and fog has disappeared from sight, the air we breathe today is still not of the quality that it should be. In a way, the polluted air that we breathe now presents a bigger danger, as we cannot detect it with the naked eye. However; it is still putting the citizens of Birmingham at risk. In fact, Birmingham is still one of the worst locations for fine particle air pollution. Both indoor and outdoor air quality standards are extremely important, especially in a city like Birmingham with a dangerous history. But there are steps you can take to improve the overall quality of the air you, and others around you breathe.
Air Filters: Do you already have a “good” air filter, but somehow continue to notice allergens and other particles still exist in your home? It might be time for an upgrade. High performance filters are more efficient, much more effective even in areas of especially low air quality, are able to noticeably reduce allergens and do not require any additional maintenance! This means you are saving energy with a more advanced system that won’t waste resources, but will save you money! A filter is supposed to guard your house from any outdoor contaminants, and rid your home of any allergens and particles that somehow slip through the cracks. It is a piece of equipment that is most certainly worth the investment, as Birmingham still has its work cut out for it in terms of air quality.
Humidity Control: If you do not take action to control humidity levels in your home, the consequences could be severe. Warmer months can get particularly sticky, especially here in the South, so it is essential to check that your humidity controller is up to snuff now that spring is just around the corner. If you don’t have a control system, and your home’s humidity fluctuates above or below 45-55%, consider installing one, as your health may be at risk. If your home is too humid, mold and mildew can grow on virtually any surface. Even if you can’t see it, the musty odor is easy to detect. Not only does it make your home unpleasant to live in, mold can also cause respiratory infections, asthma attacks and serious complications if black mold appears! Consider a humidity controller today, and take control of your mold!
UV Light: Any area that provides a damp, cool environment could easily house bacteria. This means your HVAC coils are prone to microbial growth. Though they are not easily seen; mold, mildew and bacterial growth can significantly impact your health. When these contaminants breed, spores can escape through your ductwork and into your home. This pollution can cause allergies, asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments. However; you can prevent these pathogens from growing in the first place by installing a Bacteria Growth Inhibitor. This powerful UV light technology destroys DNA in mold and mildew, to stop problems at the source. This small, convenient device is useful in more ways than one! During your routine maintenance check, a specialist will clean your HVAC unit and coils to keep your system running smoothly. The UV light then kills any remaining particles which helps your unit run at optimal efficiency, and prolongs its lifespan. This small, effective device can be easily installed with multiple mounting options, and its advanced technology and small size yield very low operating costs!
Carpool: Though we may not be able to do much on an individual scale about large factory emissions, there are ways we can actively improve our surroundings. One large factor in high rates of outdoor pollution is car/vehicle emissions. If your area provides a bus service that you can take to work, maybe consider this option instead of taking your car every day. Or if you’re meeting a friend for dinner, maybe volunteer to drive to avoid using both cars. Modern technology in some cities is growing exponentially, and gearing towards lowering emissions by providing rentable bikes and scooters you can use to navigate the area. Even though we cannot instantly see the results of these energy-saving actions, taking these small steps will make a big difference in the long run!
Here at Breathe Easy, we have created a six-stage indoor air quality program to achieve the cleanest air quality possible. Our mission is to help families understand the importance of high indoor air quality, and how much it can truly change people’s lives. Especially in Birmingham, improving air quality is of the utmost importance and we are up to the challenge! Give us a call for issues big or small at (205)-444-4444, or visit our website at https://breatheeasyair.com for any questions you may have!
