What action should be taken if air quality in a structure is poor?

When air quality in a structure is poor, taking action to improve it is crucial for the health and safety of occupants. Replacing air filters and increasing ventilation is the appropriate response in this situation for several reasons.

Air filters are designed to trap dust, allergens, pollutants, and other harmful particles in the air. Over time, these filters can become clogged and inefficient, leading to reduced air quality. By replacing the air filters, you ensure that your HVAC system operates efficiently and helps in removing contaminants from the air.

Increasing ventilation allows for the exchange of indoor air with outdoor air. This can help dilute indoor pollutants and improve overall air quality. Proper ventilation can include opening windows and doors when safe to do so or using mechanical ventilation systems to introduce fresh air while exhausting stale air.

By taking these actions, you help create a healthier indoor environment, reducing symptoms related to poor air quality, such as headaches, respiratory issues, and allergies.

Other options—such as ignoring the symptoms, sealing windows and doors, or using fragrance to mask odors—do not address the underlying issues of poor air quality and could potentially exacerbate health problems. Ignoring symptoms allows contaminants to persist, while sealing windows can trap pollutants indoors, and masking odors does not eliminate the source