 Indoor Air Quality |
 Begin improving your indoor air quality today! Pinpoint potential sources of toxins in your home -- store pesticides and paint in a cool, dry shed or garage -- reduce carpeted areas -- clean ducts -- prevent standing water in plants Indoor air quality is a huge issue and we must educate ourselves and be vigilant in reducing the sources of contaminants. The EPA has identified it as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. Their studies found levels of common organic pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes than outside. Also, these studies indicated that while using products containing organic chemicals, people tended to expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels. Such elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after activities like new carpet installation, pesticide application, and use of chemical cleaning agents are completed. And keep in mind that without proper use of protective gloves, these agents can enter our bodies through the skin as well as through breathing. The three routes of exposure to indoor pollutants are inhalation, ingestion and absorption. Everything we smell inters our bloodstream, but not everything that enters our bloodstream can necessarily be smelled. Each day we breath ten to twenty thousand liters of air and approximately two heaping tablespoons of assorted chemicals and particles. Proportionately, children breath even more. Absorption of toxic chemicals through our skin can be just as dangerous as if we had swallowed them. Tighter homes with efficient windows and doors will not experience annoying drafts and airborne dust. Significant sources of indoor air pollution (moisture, dust, pollen, etc.) are effectively blocked from entering the home. Health effects of poor indoor air quality often appear as allergy or asthma symptoms. Proper ventilation; and sealed duct work also protect against the build up of moisture and unhealthy air. A green home uses products and materials with fewer chemicals, thus reducing volatile organic compounds that are emitted as gases. Also, moisture control devices and fresh-air intake mechanisms are used to ensure healthier indoor air quality. Did you know that homes are a greater source of pollution than cars? In fact, 16% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Tight construction and improved insulation also ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms. Properly sized heating and cooling equipment cycles on and off less frequently, which removes more humidity and provides uniform comfort. Decreasing the amount of moist air that leaks through the house can reduce mold and mildew growth on or inside walls, ceilings, and duct work. Finally, be sure that organic materials you decide to keep in your home are stored in a well-ventilated area. A can of paint thiner left in an unfinished area of the basement, or in a crawl space, can rust and inadvertantly leak a constant source of contamination into your home! | |||
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