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Indoor Air Quality
There are some instances when you and your family are exposed to more pollutants and toxins inside your home than outside. Levels of air pollution inside the home can be two to five times higher (and occasionally 100 times higher) than outdoor levels. Your indoor air quality depends on many factors inside your home and it is important to learn about the potential sources of indoor air pollution in order to minimize the damaging effects.
The most common pollutants are radon, combustion products, biologicals (molds, pet dander, pollen), volatile organic compounds, lead dust and asbestos. Poor indoor air quality in your home can lead to problems like asthma, allergies, lung disease, high levels of toxicity and more. Read on for more information about the causes of indoor air pollutants and what you can do to improve your indoor air quality.
The most common pollutants are radon, combustion products, biologicals (molds, pet dander, pollen), volatile organic compounds, lead dust and asbestos. Poor indoor air quality in your home can lead to problems like asthma, allergies, lung disease, high levels of toxicity and more. Read on for more information about the causes of indoor air pollutants and what you can do to improve your indoor air quality.
Indoor air pollution is from equipment or items in your home that release gases and particles into your home. Inadequate ventilation will exacerbate the problem by not bringing in enough outdoor air to help dilute the flush out the pollutants from your home. Additionally high temperatures or high levels of humidity can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. The following is a list of common indoor air pollutants and their sources.
- Asbestos - Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has commonly been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. It is commonly found in older homes with older building materials, but can still be found in new products, although it has been banned in several products. You may find asbestos material in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles. Asbestos fibers are small and can become lodged in your lungs, possibly causing cancer and other fatal diseases. If you find asbestos in your home, leave undamaged materials alone - do not rip or damage them because they may release the fibers. It is best to hire a specially trained contractor to take care of the removal.
- Biological Contaminants - Biological contaminants include bacteria, molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander and cat saliva, house dust mites, cockroaches, and pollen. These pollutants originate from organic matter, humans, pets and pests. Issues arising from biological contaminants include allergies, asthma, viruses, influenza and other infectious illnesses. Controlling the humidity in your home is a key action to minimizing the growth of these contaminants. Eliminate standing water, anything that is water damaged and exhaust or ventilate your home properly.
- Carbon Monoxide - Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. At high concentrations it can cause unconsciousness and death. Lower concentrations can cause a range of symptoms from headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and disorientation, to fatigue in healthy people and episodes of increased chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. The source of CO poisoning is usually a stove, oven, fireplace or another combustion source that is not properly venting or efficiently burning the fuel. Proper venting and diligent maintenance of combustion sources is necessary to reduce exposure. The most likely time for CO poisoning is in the fall or early winter when heating systems are turned on again.
- Formaldehyde - Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Pressed wood, like particleboard, paneling, or fiberboard, is the most common source of formaldehyde in homes. Formaldehyde causes allergies and in high concentrations asthma and may cause cancer. Avoid products that contain formaldehyde.
- Household Products - Household products or organic chemicals are used widely in the house and come in various forms like cleaners, disinfectants, paints, varnishes, solvents, hobby products, and more. They all release volatile organic chemicals or VOCs, which can be harmful and cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Limit exposure to these products, properly ventilate and choose healthier options with low VOCs.
- Lead - Lead is a very harmful pollutant that can cause problems in every system of the body. Humans are exposed to lead through air, drinking water, food, contaminated soil, deteriorating paint, and dust. Airborne lead enters the body when an individual breathes or swallows lead particles or dust once it has settled. Before it was known how harmful lead could be, it was used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and many other products. At high levels of exposure it can cause convulsions, coma, and even death. Lower levels of lead can adversely affect the brain, central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys. Have your water tested, avoid bringing it into your home if you work around lead and do not remove lead paint yourself.
- Pesticides - Pesticides are commonly found in homes and at least 75% of households have at least one pesticide in their home, usually an insecticide or disinfectant. Contaminated soil or dust tracked in is also another cause. Exposure, especially in high concentrations, can cause any number of problems, including headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, weakness, tingling sensations, nausea, damage to the liver, central nervous system and even cancer. Read labels, follow directions explicitly, ventilate during use and keep pesticides away from children's reach. It better to limit the use of pesticides completely, not only can they cause problems indoors, but they can also leach into the environment.
- Tobacco Smoke - Tobacco smoke whether directly from smoking tobacco products or breathing the air indirectly is a harmful pollutant. It is a complex mixture of over 4,000 compounds, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are strong irritants. The simple solution is to not smoke or let others smoke around you or your family.
- Radon - Radon gas is released when uranium, found in the soil or rock on which homes are built, breaks down. Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that enters homes through dirt floors, cracks in concrete walls and floors, floor drains, and sumps and can become trapped indoors if not properly ventilated. Exposure to radon can potentially cause lung cancer, among other problems. Any home may have this problem, so it is wise to have your home tested. Learn more about testing your home and reducing exposure to radon at the Utah Division of Radiation Control.
- Wood smoke- Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine, microscopic particles produced when wood and other organic matter burn. The biggest health threat from wood smoke comes from fine particles (also called particulate matter). They are small enough to enter the lungs where they can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, or other serious respiratory diseases. Fine particles can also aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases, and are linked to premature deaths in people with these chronic conditions. For a limited time, residents of Summit County have access to funding to swap out old wood burning stoves. See here for more info.
Here are some tips to improve your indoor air quality at home:
- No Smoking - Declare your home a smoke-free zone. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health problems, especially for children. Ask smokers to take it outside and preferably away from your house.
- Ventilate - Good ventilation reduces indoor air pollution. Ideally your home is ventilating enough to bring in fresh air, but not so much that you are loosing heat or cooling. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a ventilation rate of 0.35 ach (air changes per hour) for new homes, and some new homes are built to even tighter specifications. Particular care should be given in such homes to preventing the build-up of indoor air pollutants to high levels. You should also leave doors between rooms open most of the time for better air circulation. Open windows when possible to allow for a good supply of outdoor air. Install exhaust fans in bathrooms to remove moisture and chemicals from the house.
- Control Humidity - Keep humidity levels low with a dehumidifier or air conditioner, as needed. Clean both regularly so they don't become a source of pollutants themselves. Fix all leaks and drips in the home, as standing water and high humidity encourages the growth of mold and other biological pollutants. A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is generally recommended for homes.
- Prevent CO Poisoning - To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, have all fuel burning appliances inspected by a qualified technician once a year. The fall and early winter is the most likely time to have issues with improper ventilation of combustion gases or inefficient burning. Install a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping rooms.
- Control Allergens - To keep dust mites and other allergens to a minimum, clean regularly. Wash bedding materials in hot water (at least 130°). Carpet collects allergens, dirt, dust and mold and can be very unhealthy for those who suffer from allergies. Consider replacing carpet with area rugs that can be taken up and washed often.
- Vent While Cooking - Fit your gas range with a hood fan that exhausts the air outside. Use the fan or open a window when cooking to remove gas fumes.
- Use Safe Cleaning Products - Check commercial cleaning products and pesticides for toxic ingredients, and use according to manufacturers directions. Keep your home well ventilated when using these products. Consider switching to less toxic alternatives. Read more about more environmentally friendly and healthier Cleaning Supplies.
- Test Your Home For Radon - Learn more about radon exposure and how to eliminate it from your home by visiting Radon.Utah.Gov.
- Turn It Off - Never leave a car, lawn mower or other gas fired equipment running in an attached garage or shed or near an open window. Avoid the use of unvented heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
- Shop Smart - When purchasing new furniture or products from your home, find the least toxic that you can. Avoid furniture and products that contain formaldehyde or VOCs, opting for natural products and lower VOC options. Read more about Healthier Furnishings.