Indoor Air
Quality EPA studies show that even in the smoggiest cities, the
air inside most modern homes is usually at least ten times more
polluted than the air outside.
How can this be? There are many reasons, some of which were discovered only recently.
They include invisible assassins like radon and CO2, as well as gas-emitting
chemicals like formaldehyde used in making modern carpeting, drapery, household
cleaners, furniture and building materials. There are also common airborne pollutants
such as pollen, viruses, dust and dust mites and damp areas where standing water
can breed mold, mildew and other microbes.
Much of this problem is attributed to the way modern homes are built—for
purposes of energy efficiency, and to be as air-tight as possible. The consequence
is that stale air, laced with odors, chemicals, irritants – even miniscule
insects – often becomes trapped in modern homes, where it circulates over
and over. This can lead to eye irritation, sinus congestion, sneezing, runny
nose, stuffiness, colds, flu, headaches, dizziness, outbreaks of allergies and
asthma, sore throats, and various other respiratory ailments.
So serious and prevalent is this issue that environmentalists have coined a new
term for it—IAQ or Indoor Air Quality. Today’s homeowners need to
become more aware of the importance of IAQ and what they can do about it.
