Renting a property comes with its unique set of challenges, especially when it concerns the quality of the air you breathe. After all, poor air quality in rental properties can significantly affect health and well-being. 

Let’s explore common air pollutants found in rental properties and discuss some practical solutions to mitigate them, ensuring a safer, healthier living environment.

Common Air Pollutants in Rental Properties

Many factors can come into play when it comes to the living environment of a rental property. If you are experiencing unusual health issues or can smell something unpleasant, it’s important to do some detective work and figure out what the source is. Unless you’re just dealing with the unfortunate situation of a smelly roommate, you need to find and fix whatever is causing the issue - of course, an unhygienic roommate may well need to be addressed too, but that’s another article! Here are some common air pollutants in rental properties:

Mold and Mildew

Photo by Rodion Kutsaiev

Often found in damp areas, mold can release spores and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Exposure to mold and mildew can cause a variety of respiratory issues, particularly for individuals with asthma or allergies. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, nasal stuffiness, and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure can also lead to more severe respiratory infections and conditions, especially in immune-compromised individuals.

Secondhand Smoke

Smoke from cigarettes can seep into non-smoking areas through walls and floors, carrying over 7,000 chemicals. Secondhand smoke is a known carcinogen that contains harmful chemicals, and even short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and exacerbate asthma symptoms. 

Long-term exposure increases the risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. In children, it can lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks and respiratory illnesses. In the event that a landlord is concerned that vaping is occurring in their smoke-free property, they can install a vape smoke detector. 

Radon

This colorless, odorless gas rises from the earth and can accumulate in homes, particularly in basements and ground floors. Radon is a radioactive gas that, when inhaled over time, can damage the lining of the lungs, leading to lung cancer - in fact, it’s the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause overall. Radon exposure typically has no immediate symptoms, which makes it particularly dangerous as it can go unnoticed until serious health issues arise.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products and can cause both acute and chronic health effects. Short-term exposure to VOCs can result in eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and nausea. Chronic exposure has been linked to more serious conditions such as liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. 

Some VOCs are known carcinogens that can increase the risk of cancer with long-term exposure. Choosing furniture and mattresses made with low-VOC materials can also help to reduce exposure. A perfect mattress should not only be comfortable but also contribute to a healthy indoor environment.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Photo by Parvesh Kumar on Unsplash

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly at high concentrations and is often considered a maintenance emergency. Low to moderate exposure can result in symptoms similar to the flu, such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion, but without the fever. High-level exposure can be fatal within minutes, while chronic exposure to lower levels of CO can also result in neurological symptoms, including impaired concentration and memory.

Pesticides

Pesticides used in and around rental properties can vary in toxicity. Symptoms of exposure can range from mild skin and eye irritation to more severe effects, such as affecting the nervous system, mimicking hormones causing reproductive problems, and also causing cancer. 

Children are particularly at risk of developmental effects from exposure to pesticides. When dealing with pests, it's important to debunk pest control myths and rely on safe and effective methods that minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.

Mitigation Strategies

Once you have determined the source of the pollutant, it’s time to get to work eradicating it. Here’s how:

Improve Ventilation

Enhancing the ventilation in your rental can significantly reduce pollutant levels. Simple actions like opening windows, using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensuring that ventilation systems are clean and functional can make a big difference.

Use Air Purifiers

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can capture particulates such as mold spores and dust mites. Activated carbon filters are effective against gasses and odors, including VOCs and secondhand smoke.

Test for Radon

Radon testing kits are inexpensive and easy to use. If high levels are detected, professional radon mitigation techniques, such as installing a radon mitigation system, can be employed.

Maintain Humidity Levels

Keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50% helps reduce the proliferation of mold and dust mites. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are effective tools to control humidity.

Opt for Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Switch to natural or homemade cleaning products that don’t emit harmful VOCs; products labeled "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" are preferable.

Ensure Proper Appliance Maintenance

Regular servicing of fuel-burning appliances can prevent the emission of harmful gasses like carbon monoxide, and should feature regularly in rental property maintenance. Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your rental can also provide an early warning of increased CO levels.

Communicate with Your Landlord

If issues arise that require structural changes or serious intervention, such as mold infestation or outdated appliances, communicate these concerns with your landlord. Remember, landlords have a responsibility to ensure their properties meet health and safety standards.

Proactive Management Is Key

Awareness and proactive management of air quality in your rental property can lead to a healthier living environment. By understanding the common pollutants and implementing these mitigation strategies, tenants can significantly reduce their exposure to harmful contaminants and enhance their overall quality of life.