Indoor Air Quality-Does It Matter?
Indoor air quality. First we should probably define it. According to Wikipedia it is a term which refers to the air quality in and around buildings and structures especially as it relates to the health and comforts of the occupants of the building.
Second what contributes to IAQ? Again, according to Wikipedia, gases, microbial contaminants, particulates and any mass or energy stressor that can induce adverse health conditions. Seems to make sense. There are lots of those things in the air in our homes or any building we find ourselves in for that matter.
Third, what can be done to make it better? Wikipedia suggests there are three main things to be done. Source control, eliminate as many sources of pollutants and contaminants as possible. Filtration, air filters, purification and others. And ventilation. Seems simple enough. Even regular carpet and area rug cleaning can help as both act as a type of air filter.
That’s all good information. But, is it necessary to give it a lot of our attention? Perhaps. Consider the following facts:
1. The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air each day, making ambient air pollution a major environmental problem.
2. Indoor air quality is one of the EPA’s top five environmental risks to public health.
3. 87 percent of American homeowners are not aware that pollution may be worse inside their homes than outdoors.
4. Common indoor air pollutants include dust mites, pollen, mold, radon, carbon monoxide, excessive carbon dioxide, and other chemical fumes.
5. Indoor air pollution is two to five times worse (sometimes a 100x worse) than the air outdoors.
6. Air pollution contributes to lung disease, respiratory tract infections, asthma and lung cancer.
7. The largest reductions in indoor air pollution can be achieved by switching from solid fuels (biomass, coal) to cleaner and more efficient fuels and energy technologies.
8. Indoor air pollution is a problem for all types of homes, whether in a dense urban city or a rural town.
9. Nearly 2 million people die prematurely from illness attributable to indoor air pollution from household solid fuel use.
10. The three most important methods of improving indoor air quality are source removal, air cleaning, and increased ventilation.
11. Controlling exposure to indoor allergens and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) could prevent 65 percent of asthma cases among elementary school-age children.
Source: www.dosomething.org
Hopefully that’s enough to make you think. If not, give us a call and we can give some more interesting information and ways to eliminate some source contaminants. We are always happy to help you improve your indoor breathing atmosphere.