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Mandi Joyner - Greenguard |
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 On average, people take about 23,000 breaths in any given day. While that number may not mean much to you, it should. It should because Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, where the air can be as much as 100 times more polluted than outside air, which means those 23,000 breaths are very important.
The very materials and products we use to furnish and maintain our indoor environments can release hundreds of pollutants such as formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and even biological allergens into the air we breathe. These pollutants also have short- and long-term health consequences.
Short-term health effects
Trigger asthma and allergy attacks
Respiratory irritation
Headaches
Flu-like symptoms
Long-term health effects
Respiratory disease
Cancer
Neurological disease
While poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has an impact on all building occupants, it has an even greater impact on children for a couple of reasons.
Children receive approximately 72% of their environmental exposure indoors.
Their organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing, and because of their lower body weight, they breathe in a relatively greater volume of air than adults.
Newborns breathe through their mouths, as do many older infants and children more so than do adults. This difference in breathing may increase childrens risk of pulmonary exposure to particulates and fibers, which might otherwise be filtered out in the nose.
Childrens breathing zones are much closer to the ground than adults, and as a result, heavier airborne chemicals pose more of risk to children than to adults. These factors combine to create a higher body burden of air pollutants for the same amount of exposure.
Asthma is one of the most notable health consequences. Research shows a correlation between poor IAQ and asthma.
Asthma rates in children under the age of five increased more than 160% over a 14-year period.
Asthma is the 3rd leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15 .
Asthma is the #1 cause of school absenteeism among children ages 5 to 17 and accounts for an annual loss of more than 14 million school days per year (approximately 8 days for each student with asthma) and more hospitalizations than any other childhood disease.
The good news is that you can improve IAQ. Here are some general tips for improving your homes indoor air quality and reducing your exposure to VOCs.
The best way to reduce your exposure to VOCs is by reducing products in your home and workplace that contain VOCs. Try to find safer substitutes. When buying paints and stains, look for labels that describe a "low-emitting formula". It is important to note that many products are labeled for VOC content (e.g. "Formaldehyde-Free" or "Low-VOC"). Content is not an appropriate indicator of what emits off of the product. Be sure to always have adequate ventilation.
Purchase and use building materials and furnishings, including furniture, that have been certified by a reputable third-party, independent source to emit low levels of VOCs. Testing should indicate that products meet acceptable indoor air quality standards.
Use water-based cleaners that are biodegradable; avoid ones that say "danger," "caution" or "flammable." Use non-fragranced cleaners or polishes you rub on rather than spray. Often cloths damped with water work well to control dust.
Dispose of partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely. Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home.
Products containing VOCs should be stored in tightly sealed containers in a secure and well-ventilated area.
Never store opened pesticide, paint or other chemicals in containers indoors or in air handling rooms of commercial buildings.
Air out newly manufactured homes and buildings or newly renovated or furnished areas with fresh, clean outdoor air for a minimum of one week or until the new odors dissipate.
Avoid products with long-lasting odors.
Place photocopy machines, printers and photographic development in rooms with special ventilation systems so that chemicals that may be released will exhausted out of the building and not recirculated.
Use high efficiency (HEPA) vacuum cleaners only.
Fix all water leaks immediately and keep indoor humidity at 60% relative humidity or less. Use dehumidifiers if necessary.
Remove all mold contaminated porous materials such as wallboard, insulation or ceiling tile. Do not attempt to clean or decontaminate.
Avoid the use of pesticides or fungicides.
Consider removing your shoes when entering the home from the outside.
Good indoor air quality is important in creating and maintaining a healthy home. For more information on indoor air quality visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) or American Lung Association websites.
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