Indoor Air Questions and Answers
What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and is it really a problem? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) the nation's worst environmental health problem, even worse than outdoor air pollution. A significant increase in asthma and hay fever corresponds to an increased level of allergens and irritants in our homes and offices.
Can indoor air really be more polluted than the outdoor air in the largest cities? Air quality experts say, "the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors rather than outdoors." EPA Document #402-K-93-007, April 1995.
Does my Home or Office have an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem? Given the sheer number of potential sources of poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), it is very likely that your howm or office has a moderate IAQ problem. Surprisingly, homes or offices built in the last 20 years, are more likely to have a severe IAQ problem. In an effort to increase energy efficiency in our buildings and dwellings, engineers, architects and builders have sealed the "leaks" in windows, doors, attics and basements that, in the past, allowed an in and out air flow resulting in the constant mixing of cleaner outdoor air with our indoors air.
What contaminants contribute to poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)? Household cleansers, laundry detergents, air fresheners, aerosols, insecticides and pesticides, pet hair and dander, litter boxes, cigarette smoke, food, dust and dust mites, people (dead skin cells, hair, perfume, deodorizers, etc.), carpet fibers, construction materials, and mold and food odors. Additionally, items such as bedding/linens and furniture, even HVAC systems, can trap and collect contaminants.