Indoor Air QualityQuick Facts... * Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air. * Problems can arise from moisture, insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke and other sources. All of which affect the indoor air quality. * Effects of poor indoor air quality range from minor annoyances to major health risks. * Remedies of poor indoor air quality include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and followingmanufacturers' directions when using appliances and products.Research has shown that the indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air. Manyhomes are built or remodeled more tightly, without regard to the factors that assure fresh andhealthy indoor air quality. Our homes today contain many furnishings, appliances and products thatcan affect indoor air quality. Signs of indoor air quality problems include: * Unusual and noticeable odors. * Stale or stuffy air. * Noticeable lack of air movement. * Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment. * Damaged flue pipes or chimneys. * Unvented combustion air sources for fossil fuel appliances. * Excessive humidity. * Presence of molds and mildew. * Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, using household andhobby products, or moving into a new home. * Feeling noticeably healthier outside. Common Sources of indoor air quality problems Poor indoor air quality can arise from many sources. At least some of the following contaminants canbe found in almost any home: * Moisture and biological pollutants such as molds, mildew, dust mites, animal dander andcockroaches from high humidity levels, inadequate ventilation, and poorly maintainedhumidifiers and air conditioners. * Combustion products, including carbon monoxide, from unvented fossil fuel spaceheaters, unvented gas stoves and ovens, and back drafting from furnaces and water heaters. * Formaldehyde from durable press draperies and other textiles, particle board productssuch as cabinets and furniture framing, and adhesives. * Radon, a radioactive gas from soil and rock beneath and around the home's foundation,groundwater wells and some building materials. * Household products and furnishings such as paints, solvents, air fresheners, hobbysupplies, dry-cleaned clothing, aerosol sprays, adhesives, and fabric additives used incarpeting and furniture which can release volatile organic compounds. * Asbestos found in most homes more than 20 years old. Sources include deteriorating,damaged or disturbed pipe insulation, fire retardant, acoustical material and floor tiles. * Lead from lead-based paint dust created when removing paint by sanding, scraping orburning. * Particulates from dust and pollen, fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters andunvented gas space heaters affect indoor air quality. * Tobacco smoke, which produces particulates, combustion products and formaldehyde. Remedies to Indoor Air Quality ProblemsLiving Areas Paneling, pressed-wood furniture and cabinetry. These products may release formaldehydegas. Remedy: Ask about formaldehyde content before buying furniture or cabinets. Sometypes of pressed-wood products, such as those with phenol resin, emit less formaldehyde. Also, products coated with polyurethane or laminates may reduce formaldehyde emissions. After installation, open windows. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity. Carpet. Biological pollutants can grow on water-damaged carpet. New carpet can releaseorganic gases. Remedy: Promptly clean and dry water-damaged carpet, or remove italtogether. If adhesives are needed, ask for low-emitting ones. During installation, open doorsand windows, and use window fans or room air conditioners. Vacuum regularly. Consider arearugs instead of wall-to-wall carpet. Rugs are easier to remove and clean, and the floorunderneath also can be cleaned.Floor tiles. Some contain asbestos. Remedy: Periodically inspect for damage or deterioration. Do not cut, rip, sand or remove any asbestos-containing materials. If you plan to makechanges that might disturb the asbestos, or if materials are more than slightly damaged,contact a professional for repair or removal. Call your local or state health department or theEnvironmental Protection Agency. Moisture. Moisture encourages biological pollutants, including allergens such as mold,mildew, dust mites and cockroaches. Remedy: If possible, eliminate moisture sources. Installand use exhaust fans. Use a dehumidifier if necessary. Remove molds and mildew bycleaning with a solution of chlorine bleach (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon water). Maintain goodfresh air with natural and mechanical air circulation. Fireplace. Your fireplace can be a source of carbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Open the flue when using the fireplace. Have the flue and chimney inspectedannually for exhaust back drafting, flue obstructions or cracks, excess creosote or otherdamage. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Air conditioner. This can be a source of biological allergens. Remedy: If there is a water tray,empty and clean it often. Follow all service and maintenance procedures, including changingthe filter. Gas or kerosene space heater. These devices can release carbon monoxide and combustionpollutants. Remedy: Never use unvented kerosene or gas space heaters. In the room wherethe heater is located, provide fresh air by opening a door to the rest of the house, turning onan exhaust fan and slightly opening a window. Tobacco smoke. Smoke contains harmful combustion and particulate pollutants, includingcarbon monoxide and combustion byproducts. Remedy: Do not smoke in your home or permitothers to do so, especially near children. If smoking cannot be avoided indoors, open windowsor use exhaust fans. Draperies. New draperies may be treated with a formaldehyde-based finish and emit odors fora short time. Remedy: Before hanging, air draperies to ventilate odors. After hanging, ventilatethe area. Maintain moderate temperature and humidity. Lead-based paint. Paint manufactured before l978 may contain lead. Remedy: Leavelead-based paint undisturbed if it is in good condition. Before removing paint, test for lead.Do-it-yourself lead test kits are available from hardware or building supply stores. Do notsand, burn off or remove lead-based paint yourself. Hire a person with special training tocorrect lead-based paint problems. For more information, call 1-800-LEAD-FYI. Animals. Many animals leave allergens, such as dander, hair, feathers or skin, affecting indoor air quality.Remedy: Keep pets outdoors as often as possible. Clean the entire house regularly. Deepclean areas where pets are permitted. Clean pets regularly.House dust mites. Biological allergens can trigger asthma. Remedy: Clean and vacuumregularly. Wash bedding in hot water above 130 degrees F. Use more hard-surface finishes;they are less likely to attract and hold dust mites. KitchenHousehold cleaners. Unhealthy or irritating vapors may be released from chemicals inproducts. Remedy: Select non aerosol and nontoxic products. Use, apply, store and dispose ofthem according to manufacturers' directions. If products are concentrated, label the storagecontainer with dilution instructions. Completely use up a product. Pressed-wood cabinets. These can be a source of formaldehyde vapor. Remedy: Maintainmoderate temperatures (80 degrees maximum) and humidity (about 45 percent). Whenpurchasing new cabinets, select solid wood or metal cabinets or those made with phenolresin; they emit less formaldehyde. Ventilate well after installation. Unvented gas stove and range. These are a source of carbon monoxide and combustionbyproducts. Remedy: Keep appliance burners clean. Periodically have burners adjusted (blueflame tip, not yellow). Install and use an exhaust fan. Never use a gas range or stove to heatyour home. BathroomPersonal care products. Organic gases are released from chemicals in some products, suchas deodorant and hair sprays, shampoos, toners, nail polish and perfumes. Remedy: Selectodor-free or low odor-producing products. Select non aerosol varieties. Open a window, or usean exhaust fan. Follow manufacturers' directions when using the product and disposing ofcontainers. Air freshener. These products can release organic gases. Remedy: Open a window or use theexhaust fan instead. If you use air fresheners, follow manufacturers' directions. Select naturalproducts. BedroomHumidifier/vaporizer. Cold mist vaporizers can encourage biological allergens, including mold,mildew and cockroaches, that can trigger asthma and encourage viruses and bacteria. Remedy: Use and clean them according to manufacturers' directions. Refill daily with freshwater. Moth repellents. These often contain the pesticide paradichlorobenzene. Remedy: Avoidbreathing vapors. Place them in tightly sealed trunks or other containers. Store separately,away from living areas. Dry-cleaned goods. Chemicals used in the cleaning process release organic gases. Remedy:Bring odors to the attention of your dry cleaner. Try to air out dry-cleaned goods beforebringing them indoors. Seek alternatives to dry cleaning, such as hand washing items. Utility RoomUnvented clothes dryer. Gas dryers produce carbon monoxide and combustion byproductsand can be a fire hazard. Remedy: Regularly dispose of lint around and under the dryer.Provide air for gas units. Vent the dryer directly to the outside. Clean vent and ductworkregularly. Gas or oil furnace/boiler and gas water heater. Air quality problems include back drafting ofcarbon monoxide and combustion pollutants. Remedy: Have your heating system and waterheater, including gas piping and venting, inspected every year. Asbestos pipe wrap and furnace insulation. These can release asbestos fibers into the air. Remedy: Periodically look for damage or deterioration. Do not cut, rip, sand or remove anyasbestos-containing materials. If you plan to make changes that might disturb the asbestos, orif materials are more than slightly damaged, contact a professional for repair or removal. BasementGround moisture. Moisture encourages biological allergens like mold and mildew. Remedy:Inspect for condensation on walls, standing water on the floor, or sewage leaks. To keepbasement dry, prevent outside water from entering by installing roof gutters and downspouts,not watering close to the foundation, grading soil away from the home, and applyingwaterproofing sealants to basement interior walls. For standing water, consider installing asump pump. If sewage is the source, have drains professionally cleaned. If moisture has noobvious source, install an exhaust fan controlled by humidity levels. Remove mold andmildew. Regularly clean and disinfect the basement floor drain. Radon. This invisible, radioactive gas poses a lung cancer risk. Remedy: Test your home forradon. Have an experienced radon contractor fixyour home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. For more information on indoor air qualitycall 1-800-SOS-RADON. Hobby products. Chemicals in products such as solvents, paint, glue and epoxy releaseorganic gases. Remedy: Follow manufacturers' directions for use, ventilation, application,clean-up, and container storage and disposal. Use outdoors when possible. Indoors, open awindow, or use an exhaust fan. Reseal containers well. Clean tools outside or in awell-ventilated area. GarageCar and small engine exhaust. These are sources of carbon monoxide and combustionbyproducts. Remedy: Never leave vehicles, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, etc., running in thegarage. Paint, solvent and cleaning supplies. These products may release harmful vapors and effect indoor air quality. Remedy:Provide ventilation when using them. Follow manufacturers' directions. Buy only as much asyou need. If the products contain methylene chloride, such as paint strippers, use themoutdoors. Reseal containers well. Keep products in their original, labeled containers. Cleanbrushes and other materials outside. Pesticides and fertilizers. Yard and Garden chemicals may be toxic. Remedy: Usenon chemical methods when possible. Follow manufacturers' directions for mixing, applying,storing and using protective clothing. Mix or dilute them outdoors. Provide ventilation whenusing them indoors. Store them outside of the home in their original, labeled containers. Afterusing the product, remove your shoes and clean your hands and clothing to avoid bringing thechemicals into your home. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors * Install a smoke detector in each bedroom or in the adjacent hallway. * If you have gas or other fossil fuel appliances in the house, install carbon monoxidedetectors in these locations. * Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available. * Check the batteries frequently. Amount of Ventilation If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose indoor air quality, healthand comfort problems. Unless they are built with special mechanical means of ventilation,homes that are designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can"leak" into and out of the home may have higher pollutant levels than other homes. However,because some weather conditions can drastically reduce the amount of outdoor air that entersa home, pollutants can build up even in homes that are normally considered "leaky". How Does Outdoor Air Enter a House? Outdoor air enters and leaves a house by: infiltration, natural ventilation, and mechanicalventilation. In a process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into the house throughopenings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. Innatural ventilation, air moves through opened windows and doors. Air movement associatedwith infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences betweenindoors and outdoors and by wind. Finally, there are a number of mechanical ventilationdevices, from outdoor-vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such asbathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that use fans and duct work to continuouslyremove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic pointsthroughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the airexchange rate. When there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation,the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase. Indoor Air Quality Pollution and Health Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly,years later. Immediate effects Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures. These includeirritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediateeffects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating theperson's exposure to the source of the pollution, if it can be identified. Symptoms of somediseases, including asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever, may also showup soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants.The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air quality pollutants depends on several factors. Ageand pre-existing medical conditions are two important influences. In other cases, whether aperson reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously fromperson to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological pollutants after repeatedexposures, and it appears that some people can become sensitized to chemical pollutants aswell. Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is oftendifficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air quality pollution. For thisreason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptomsfade or go away when a person is away from home, for example, an effort should be made toidentify indoor air quality sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse byan inadequate supply of outdoor air or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditionsprevalent in the home. Long-term effects Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after longor repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases,heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improvethe indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.While pollutants commonly found in indoor air are responsible for many harmful effects, thereis considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessaryto produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoorair pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur afterexposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occurs from thehigher concentrations that occur for short periods of time.
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