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Healthier Indoor Air
Aisha Ikramuddin
Reprinted with permission from The Green Guide #76 http://www.thegreenguide.comWednesday, April 04, 2007
Learn more about what affects your indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality
Levels of indoor pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoors, but where does all the pollution come from?1
- Fumes from new decorating products, like paint, carpets, vinyl or pressed wood;
- Fragrances from perfumes, cosmetics, scented candles and “air fresheners;”
- Conventional cleansers and pesticides;
- Inadequately vented gas stoves, fireplaces and kerosene heaters;
- Almost anything with a “new” smell;
- Secondhand smoke;
- Animal dander , roaches and mites;
- Mold and other fungi.
All of these things contribute to indoor air pollution, which is ranked among the top four environmental health risks by the US Environmental Protection Agency.1 Microscopic particles and invisible gases can accumulate undetected in your home causing ill effects like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and asthma attacks, as well as increasing risks for cancer and other diseases and disabilities.
Homes built after 1970 are more likely to harbor bad air because, to keep energy consumption down, builders tightened up houses to prevent the loss of precious heat. Unfortunately, this also traps pollutants indoors. Temperature and humidity levels also tend to rise in a well-sealed home, encouraging dust mites and mold. Overall, whenever possible, ventilate. Let your home breathe, and you’ll breathe better.
See Also:
The Inside Story published by the EPA.
and
Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes Program
1 US Environmental Protection Agency, Questions About Your Community: Indoor Air. http://www.epa.gov/region1/communities/indoorair.html. 2007.
