Then and Now… Indoor Air and What We Breathe


Then and Now… Indoor Air and What We Breathe

Rewind to the smoggy days of the past, the ones with industrial lines pumping out product after product. Think about all the old newsreels you've watched of smoggy cities bogged down in pollution thanks to industry. Cooking inside without using microwaves or Insta Pots forced people to cook with flames causing smoke to fill the home. The thick atmosphere sat heavy in homes and crept into the inhabitants' lungs. It's unlikely indoor air purification in Knoxville was a 'thing' back then.

Nowadays, you'd think we're much better off. We're raising our kids to be environmentally conscious, cut down on polluting behaviors, and recycle. The surprising thing is that while smoke no longer hovers around urban neighborhoods, indoor air quality hasn't necessarily improved; it's only changed. One thing we have at our disposal today is the ability to consider calling Gent Heating & Cooling to discuss indoor air purification in Knoxville. This will help you to discover your options to improve your indoor breathing conditions.

What Did our Grandparents Have to Inhale at Home?

Even back in the 1800s, residents actually did think about indoor air quality. But, nothing was really done back then. Some concerns from the past vary from what tops our minds now. The first considerations were made to –

  • Radon
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Formaldehyde
  • Dampness and mold

Looking back to poorer households and third-world countries, it's not surprising to see concerns surrounding burning solid fuel sources indoors (i.e., firewood, crop waste, and dung) for cooking and heating. Burning these inside contributed to significant health concerns (like respiratory diseases) and could even cause premature death.

Worrying about the eventual need for indoor air purification in Knoxville) started in the 1850s. More than half the air we breathe comes from being inside. But, concern shifted to what's outside around 1960. The shift moved to outdoor air quality, sustainable buildings, and energy use. This didn't change the fact that we're inhaling interior air half the time. Consideration for indoor air quality should still top the list.

How Things Have Changed - And Not Necessarily for the Better

Though burning indoors for cooking has long subsided, we now have modern concerns about what's circulating in the air inside. The need for indoor air purification in Knoxville is more important than ever when considering what's going on with our buildings.

Instead of thinking about the dung from the farm being brought in to burn, modern chemicals have taken its place. Concerns with indoor air quality have erupted to the point that new phrases have been coined, such as – 'Sick House Syndrome or Sick Building Syndrome. We can thank synthetic organic materials found in furnishings and consumer products for this new concern.

Instead of smoke and cooking acting as the culprits in indoor air pollution, other pollutants took their spot –

  • Cleaning compounds
  • Paints and stains
  • Combustion fumes
  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Microbial organisms
  • Fibrous glass particles

Adding synthetic materials with the fact that we've become more energy-efficient in our buildings (fewer drafts equate to more pollutants being trapped inside with you), you now have increased breathing problems.

Since the public's knowledge has increased over the years, we understand more and more about the health consequences related to poor air quality

  • Eye and throat irritation
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

Considering all of this, we know that indoor air purification in Knoxville should be considered when thinking about your health.

So, What Can I Do?

To improve the air quality in your home or business, consider looking into indoor air purification in Knoxville and give Gent Heating & Cooling a call. We offer different services and options to improve your indoor air quality. We'll come out and implement the perfect choice for you. Air purification systems remove toxins and pollutants, leaving your indoor air fresh and healthy.

What's floating around your home or business has changed over the years. What hasn't changed is that pollutants and irritants still plague the places we take the most comfort in. Luckily with technology and knowledge ever-evolving, people learned how to develop systems to cleanse the air. Gent Heating & Cooling offers solutions for indoor air purification in Knoxville. After purifying your indoor air, you'll be able to sit back, take a deep breath, and enjoy your indoor space.

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Gent Heating and Cooling provide heating and air conditioning for residential and commercial clients in Knoxville, Knox County, and the surrounding East Tennessee area. Over 20 Years experience. Customer Service is Our Top Priority. We strive to be on time, provide accurate estimates, and have most replacement products on our service vehicles.

Call 865-213-9202 or email office@genthvac.com

www.gentheatandcool.com