Should I be Concerned About Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is one of the key factors in occupational health. The need for clean air in our homes should not be underestimated. That's because many homes are being built and remodeled more airtight, without considering the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air.
Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time inside, and 65 percent of their time in their own homes. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is anywhere from 2 to 10 times more hazardous than outdoor air. Indoor air contains many substances that may be hazardous to our health. Indoor air pollutants range from minor irritants such as dust and animal dander, to major irritants such as molds and chemical vapors that may be emitted from building materials and furnishings.
One in five Americans suffer from some type of lung disease (asthma, emphysema, lung cancer) and many more Americans are affected by allergies. Eleven million Americans have asthma. Twenty-eight million Americans have hay fever and other allergies. The US EPA estimates an 18 percent annual production loss to American business due to poor indoor air quality. The World Health organization tells us that 40 percent of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to indoor air pollution. The US EPA says high levels of formaldehyde cause cancer while scientists now recognize that pollutants, even at acceptable concentration, combined together in an indoor environment have a synergistic negative effect.
The air we breathe is a factor in all these conditions, therefore, it is vital that we implement the necessary steps to ensure the highest level of indoor air quality.
Every year at least 6,000 new chemical compounds are developed in the US. Many are used indoors every day, at home and at work. Add to these pollutants the mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, tobacco smoke, grease, pollen, dirt, asbestos, lead, mercury and numerous other contaminants that can affect our breathing and our health. Then allow them to circulate in today's nearly airtight indoor environment.
The viruses and bacteria that thrive in the ducts, coils and recesses of building ventilation systems have been proven to cause ailments ranging from influenza to tuberculosis. Some HVAC systems have been found to contain up to 27 species of fungi.
Other facts about the hazardous nature of our air include:
• Asthma cases have increased by more than 100 percent since 1976.
• According to the American College of Allergies, 50 percent of all illness is aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air.
• Nature's air-cleansing agents such as ozone and negative ions are kept out of sealed buildings, while contaminants are kept in.
• A recent study found that the allergen level in super-insulated homes is 200 percent higher than it is in ordinary homes.
• According to Scientific America, a baby crawling on the floor inhales the equivalent of 4 cigarettes a day, as a result of the out-gassing of carpets, molds, mildews, fungi, dust mites, etc.
• The US EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 homes and buildings are 'sick', meaning they are hazardous to your health to occupy as a result of airborne pollutants.
Some practical tips to improve indoor air quality include:
• Stop smoking
• Ensure regular maintenance of the furnace and air conditioning system
• Reduce moisture and mold in the home by repairing roof and foundation cracks
Indoor air quality is one of the key factors in occupational health. The need for clean air in our homes should not be underestimated. That's because many homes are being built and remodeled more airtight, without considering the factors that assure fresh and healthy indoor air.
Americans spend an average of 90 percent of their time inside, and 65 percent of their time in their own homes. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is anywhere from 2 to 10 times more hazardous than outdoor air. Indoor air contains many substances that may be hazardous to our health. Indoor air pollutants range from minor irritants such as dust and animal dander, to major irritants such as molds and chemical vapors that may be emitted from building materials and furnishings.
One in five Americans suffer from some type of lung disease (asthma, emphysema, lung cancer) and many more Americans are affected by allergies. Eleven million Americans have asthma. Twenty-eight million Americans have hay fever and other allergies. The US EPA estimates an 18 percent annual production loss to American business due to poor indoor air quality. The World Health organization tells us that 40 percent of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to indoor air pollution. The US EPA says high levels of formaldehyde cause cancer while scientists now recognize that pollutants, even at acceptable concentration, combined together in an indoor environment have a synergistic negative effect.
The air we breathe is a factor in all these conditions, therefore, it is vital that we implement the necessary steps to ensure the highest level of indoor air quality.
Every year at least 6,000 new chemical compounds are developed in the US. Many are used indoors every day, at home and at work. Add to these pollutants the mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, tobacco smoke, grease, pollen, dirt, asbestos, lead, mercury and numerous other contaminants that can affect our breathing and our health. Then allow them to circulate in today's nearly airtight indoor environment.
The viruses and bacteria that thrive in the ducts, coils and recesses of building ventilation systems have been proven to cause ailments ranging from influenza to tuberculosis. Some HVAC systems have been found to contain up to 27 species of fungi.
Other facts about the hazardous nature of our air include:
• Asthma cases have increased by more than 100 percent since 1976.
• According to the American College of Allergies, 50 percent of all illness is aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air.
• Nature's air-cleansing agents such as ozone and negative ions are kept out of sealed buildings, while contaminants are kept in.
• A recent study found that the allergen level in super-insulated homes is 200 percent higher than it is in ordinary homes.
• According to Scientific America, a baby crawling on the floor inhales the equivalent of 4 cigarettes a day, as a result of the out-gassing of carpets, molds, mildews, fungi, dust mites, etc.
• The US EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 homes and buildings are 'sick', meaning they are hazardous to your health to occupy as a result of airborne pollutants.
Some practical tips to improve indoor air quality include:
• Stop smoking
• Ensure regular maintenance of the furnace and air conditioning system
• Reduce moisture and mold in the home by repairing roof and foundation cracks
• Grade soil to allow water to flow away from the house
• Reduce the amount of stored materials in the house
• Choose building and renovating materials with low levels of chemical emissions
• Use recommended high efficiency air filters and UV lights.
• Introduce fresh air through heat recovery ventilator systems.
• Avoid the use of pesticides
• Reduce the amount of stored materials in the house
• Choose building and renovating materials with low levels of chemical emissions
• Use recommended high efficiency air filters and UV lights.
• Introduce fresh air through heat recovery ventilator systems.
• Avoid the use of pesticides