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GREENGUARD Environmental Institute:  Homes are filled with so many wonderful things – memories, cherished possessions and cozy furnishings, just to name a few. But appearances aren’t always what they seem. Behind all the trappings of a happy home can lurk a health threat that can make a home anything but sweet. It is indoor air pollution and it can leave children and adults alike afflicted with illnesses that can last a lifetime.

Indoor air pollution is caused by many of the products found in an average household, including furniture, building products and cleaning supplies. These items negatively affect indoor air quality because they release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These compounds pollute indoor environments so much that the air inside our homes and other buildings is generally two to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is especially important for parents to consider, as children spend up to 85% of their time indoors.

While the chemicals released by household products have the potential to affect everyone, children are at especially high risk of suffering the effects of airborne chemical emissions. Children’s organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing and they have a lower body weight. This means that relative to their size, they breathe in a greater volume of air than adults. Also, newborns and many older children breathe through their mouths, which may increase their pulmonary exposure to particulates and fibers, which might otherwise be filtered out by the nose. In addition, a baby’s breathing zone is much closer to the ground than an adult’s, and as a result, heavier airborne chemicals pose more of a risk to children than to adults. When combined, these factors create a higher body burden of air pollutants for the same amount of exposure.

There are several ways to improve indoor air quality within a home, but before a solution can be devised, it helps to understand the major sources of indoor air pollution:

• Furniture – Components in furniture such as wood, plastics and fabric may contain and release formaldehyde and other toxic substances used to resist wear and protect against stains.
• Walls and Ceilings – Ceiling tiles, caulks and sealants, gypsum board, wallpaper and paint may off-gas VOCs.
• Textiles – Fabrics can contain formaldehyde, fire retardants and anti-microbial substances, all of which can compromise IAQ within a home.
• Flooring – Carpets, wood and tiles can all release high amounts of VOCs.
• Cleaning Products – Household cleaning products contain a variety of toxic chemicals that can harm people of all ages.

The order in which products are used can also impact indoor air quality. When planning a home remodeling or redecorating project such as a child’s room, be sure introduce building elements such as paint, carpet and furnishings in the proper order to avoid the sink effect. The sink effect is when chemicals from wet products such as paints and stains are absorbed by porous materials like carpet, furniture, ceiling tiles and fabrics. These absorbed chemicals are then often re-emitted into the home for an extended period of time.
Now that some of the sources of VOCs have been identified, here are some ways to improve indoor air quality.

• When buying paints and stains, look for labels that describe a "low-emitting formula." It is important to note that many products are labeled for VOC content (e.g. "Formaldehyde-Free" or "Low-VOC"). Content is not an appropriate indicator of what actually emits off of the product. Be sure to always have adequate ventilation when using “wet” construction products.
• Select products that have been tested and verified (ideally by a third-party) for low emissions of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds. Resources include GREENGUARD Certification and CRI Green Label Plus certification for carpets and rugs.
• Odors are bad! Avoid products with strong and long-lasting odors as this typically indicates high chemical levels (this includes all “natural” odors or fragrances like pine, lemon, etc.). For new products, unpack and air them out for a minimum of two weeks or until the odors have dissipated prior to placing them in the home. If strong odors remain you may want to contact the manufacturer.
• Open the windows! Unless you live downwind from a smokestack, outdoor air is generally less polluted than indoor air. Air out your home on a daily basis to flush out any airborne pollutants. Newly renovated or furnished areas should be aired out with outdoor air for a minimum of one week or until the new odors dissipate.

To help consumers select products that help minimize indoor air pollution, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute has developed indoor air quality standards for a variety of products that are based upon allowable chemical emissions criteria. GREENGUARD measures the chemical “off-gassing” of a product during recommended use and application, and then compares that data to known short-term and long-term risk exposure levels. Products that meet or fall below these established risk levels can be certified by GREENGUARD as low-emitting. Consumers can check out the most comprehensive and current list of low-emitting cleaning products by consulting the GREENGUARD Product Guide.

Even when there’s a home health threat that you can’t see, there’s still plenty that can be done to eliminate it. For more information on indoor air quality, please visit the American Lung Association (ALA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) or Aerias.

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

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