FACT – INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Did you know that Indoor air pollution has been described by the EPA and Congress as America’s #1 environmental health problem? The EPA also reports that indoor air can be up to one hundred times more polluted than the air outside. One hundred times! Air pollutants and poor indoor air quality can cause allergies, sick building syndrome, bacteria infections, and spread viruses to name a few.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY FACTS

• People spend 75-90% of their time indoors.
• Exposure to airborne contamination is considerable.
• 50% of all major office buildings have contaminated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC). If not properly maintained, they are a hotbed for growth of molds and bacteria.
• Each person inhales over 3,500 gallons of air each day. Children inhale more particles for their size then adolescents or adults.
• Polluted air causes 94% of all respiratory problems.
• More than 31 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma, about 1/3 are children under 18.
• About 40,000 dust mites, a common household allergen, can live in one ounce of dust.
• An estimated 10-15% of the entire population may be allergic to cat or dog dander.
• A person sheds up to 700,000 skin flakes per day.

3 TYPES OF INDOOR POLLUTANTS

1. Particulate

Problem: Particulates are tiny particles suspended in the air. Common particulates include residential pollen, dust mites, dust, smoke and dander (skin flakes). Particulate diameters are measured in microns and range from .001 to 1,000 microns. These dimensions represent the continuum from a few molecules up to the size where particles can no longer be airborne.

2. Microbials

Problem: These are bacteria, germs, viruses, fungi, spores and mold. Although bacteria are small in size and usually microscopic, they have an amazing ability to do horrible damage to all living organisms including humans. Many everyday illnesses are also caused by viruses like the common cold or the flu.

3. Gases

Problem: Indoor odors and gases, such as benzene, formaldehyde, chloroform, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc., are released from furniture, cabinets, carpets, cleaning chemicals, copy machines, insulation, insect sprays, hair sprays, etc.