What’s your Indoor Air Quality

When we think of air pollution, most people think of the air pollutants outdoors such as auto emissions, factory emissions, etc. Everyone will agree that air pollution is hazardous to your health. In major cities across the country, there are even air quality alerts to inform us when air quality can be hazardous to your health. Very few of us think of the air quality in our homes. If the house is a little musty, or smells like your pet or even has leftover cooking odors we get the air sanitizer out to freshen the indoor air and think we have cleared the home of air pollutants because it smells better. Unfortunately, spraying the air with an air sanitizer does not necessarily mean you home is free of air pollution, although it may smell better.

With the rising cost of heating and cooling, we strive for airtight homes. However, in doing so we have closed off ventilation to the outdoor thus allowing pet dander, household cleaner smells, dust and other household allergens to stay within the home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five risks to public health. The EPA states “studies from the United States and Europe show that persons in industrialized nations spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. For infants, the elderly, persons with chronic disease, and most urban residents of any age, the proportion is probably higher. In addition, the concentrations of many pollutants indoors exceed those outdoors. The locations of highest concern are those involving prolonged, continuing exposure – that is, the home, school, and workplace”.

The minute, invisible particles floating around your home are the primary threat to your health. The invisible particles evade the body’s natural filtering mechanisms and penetrate deep into the lungs tissue. These particles, which carry toxic substances, are absorbed into the body. These small particles include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, cigarette smoke, and pollen, which cause allergic reactions in many people. Additionally, gases from cleaning supplies, new carpeting, building materials etc. pose a health threat. These gasses are known as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and are among the greatest concern to your health. Formaldehyde is the major concern among VOC’s as it is so widely used.

Below are the some of the most common airborne contaminants in your home:

? Pesticides: source of extremely toxic chemicals that can be released into indoor air.

? Household cleaning products: can contain many harmful volatile chemicals.

? Lead: found in older paints and plumbing pipes.

? Aerosols in personal care products: a common source of organic gases, some of which are suspected carcinogens

? Gas stove: can be a source of combustion by-products.

? Draperies: treated fabrics can contain formaldehyde. Curtain folds collect dust.

? Carpets: source of formaldehyde. Harbor dust, dust mites, and animal dander.

? Tobacco smoke: tobacco smoke contains 43 carcinogens, the danger to nonsmokers from second-hand smoke, especially children, is now becoming recognized.

? Pet Dander: animal hair and skin flakes are common sources of allergens.

? Radon: radon gas is a natural emission where uranium exists underground. Radon carries radioactive particles that can be a dangerous cause of lung cancer

? Auto exhaust: such fumes can enter the home from the garage or nearby traffic flow. Carbon monoxide is the primary danger, and has a cumulative effect in the human system.

? Pressed wood in furniture and flooring: manufactured with formaldehyde, which is released as gas.

? Dry cleaning: source of toxic tolulenes and PERC

? Dust Mites: the excreta and body parts of these organisms are a common allergen, a particular problem in bedrooms.

? Smoke from fireplace or wood stove: open fireplaces can produce ash dust, carcinogenic tars and combustion by-products like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

? Fuels: storage of gasoline, kerosene, and other fuels can release volatile chemicals into household air.

? Paints and solvents: these are sources of many volatile chemicals, which are easily vaporized and enter household air.

? Carpets: source of formaldehyde. Harbor dust, dust mites, and animal dander.

? Asbestos: the particles of this carcinogen can be released into the air if asbestos insulation or pipe cladding is disturbed during house repairs. Asbestos fibers reside in lung tissue and can cause lung cancer or emphysema.

Although the above list is quite intimidating, there are steps to you can take to improve the air quality in your home. For instance, using fewer aerosol products improves air quality in your home. In addition, if you or a family member suffers from allergies or other respiratory problems, an air purifier will improve the overall air quality in your home and remove toxins.