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All of us face a variety of risks to our health as we go about our day-to-day lives. Driving in cars, flying in planes, engaging in recreational activities, and being exposed to environmental pollutants all pose varying degrees of risk. Some risks are simply unavoidable. Some we choose to accept because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to lead our lives the way we want. And some are risks we might decide to avoid if we had the opportunity to make informed choices.
Indoor air pollution is one risk that you can do something about. The following information was accumulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the aim to better educate the public on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) concerns.
We encourage all homeowners concerned about their home's IAQ to consider air duct cleaning as just one of the ways to improve your home's air. Reducing the use of dangerous chemicals as well as properly maintaining applicances that can emit harmful by-products is also a must.
For further questions, give us a call today!
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Why Should I Be Concerned About Indoor Air Quality? |
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According to the EPA’s booklet on IAQ, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.
Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Their conclusion is that because of these factors, health risks may be greater due to air pollution indoors than outdoors. |
Additionally, groups who may be exposed to indoor air pollutants most often are usually also the most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. These groups include children, the chronically ill, and the elderly. Those who suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular diseases must be especially wary.
| What Causes Indoor Air Problems? |
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According to the EPA, most indoor pollution sources occur from using materials that “that release gases or particles into the air” (EPA.gov). They go on to specify a range of pollution sources as listed below:
Combustion Sources: oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, tobacco products
Building Materials & Furnishings: deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products
Household Products: cleaning and maintenance products, personal care products, or hobbies products can contribute to poor indoor air quality as well.
HVAC Systems: Improperly maintained central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices
Outdoor Sources: Radon pesticides and outdoor air pollution |
Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in housekeeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.
Another cause to poor IAQ is inadequate ventilation and the introduction of fresh air in the home. It is important that fresh air be introduced into the home so that it can “dilute emissions from indoor sources”. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants, like mold.
How dangerous these sources are depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions can be. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether its been properly maintained are significant: an improperly maintained furnace can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly cared for.
Another cause to poor IAQ is inadequate ventilation and the introduction of fresh air in the home. It is important that fresh air be introduced into the home so that it can “dilute emissions from indoor sources” (EPA.gov). High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants, like mold.
The EPA holds that “solutions to air quality problems … involve such actions as: eliminating or controlling the sources of pollution, increasing ventilation, and installing air cleaning devices” (EPA.gov).
If you fear that the common contaminants hosted in the debris of your duct system is causing IAQ problems for your home, Mr. Duct’s air duct cleaning service can remove these contaminants, as well as provide visual confirmation of our results.
| Findings of the World Health Organization (WHO) |
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The World Health Organization (WHO) also published a report discussing indoor air quality, specifically focusing on the adverse health effects that occur when dampness and dirt contaminate the home. The report establishes that HVAC system components play a major role in the perceived indoor air quality of a home. They link the dirtiness of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems with an increase of multiple respiratory symptoms and specifically mention, "dirty ductwork, dirty filters, and dirty air intakes" as pollutant sources.
The following are some of the many conclusions drawn in the document: |
- Evidence from sufficient research shows that occupants of moldy buildings are at increased risk for developing respiratory symptoms, infections, and asthma. Results show that remediation of dampness and mold can reduce adverse health outcomes.
- Clinical evidence shows that certain microbial related to dampness may increase the risks of rare health conditions
- Common indoor dust and dirt provide suffcient nutrients to support extensive microbial growth.
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Persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures should be avoided or minimized, as they may lead to adverse health affects.
Remediation of the conditions that lead to adverse exposure to poor health in populations who are already living with an increased burden of disease
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