Indoor Air Quality (IAQ,) is a term used by professionals, to describe the quality of air within an enclosed building. The composition of the air inside a building can have a positive or negative impact on the health of the people inside. Air that has a high IAQ would be devoid of pollutants, organisms, gases and dust. The EPA have stated, that most homes in America have poor IAQ, this can lead to a variety of health conditions, such as lung cancer, breathing complications and allergic reactions. Here are some of the components, that can affect the IAQ in your home in more detail.
Microbial Organisms and Particulates
This description covers a variety of materials, such as dust, mites, viruses, pollen, mold, fungi and mildew. These organisms and particles can saturate the air in your home, bringing with them a host of health problems. They can make the air in your home difficult to breathe, and cause respiratory distress to humans and animals that breathe it in. Those with allergies may be particularly at risk, to having their conditioned worsened or triggered. Over time, long term exposure could significantly lower your life expectancy and reduce your quality of life.
Natural Gases
Not everything that is natural is beneficial to your health. The natural air composition of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other trace gases can be compromised. One of the main causes when discussing IAQ is the naturally occurring gas Radon. This gas is possibly one of the most harmful naturally occurring gases on the planet. It is extremely toxic to both humans and animals. It can seep into your home, through cracks in your walls or floors and build up in concentration levels. At levels of over 4pci/L, it is regarded as a major cause of lung cancer.
Synthetic and Combustible Materials
There are a number of synthetic materials that can adversely affect IAQ, such as asbestos, freon, formaldehyde and combustion products. When we talk about combustion products, we mean toxic smoke from burning fuels and carbon monoxide. Obviously, burning materials are easy to spot, as there will be a fire in your home accompanied by smoke. Carbon monoxide is much more insidious and harder to detect. These materials when breathed in can have a devastating effect on the health of people and animals. They can initially cause headaches, followed by nausea, a loss of consciousness and finally even death. Many people believe that Asbestos is banned in America and this in not the case. It is still used in many products, such as car parts, cement products, vinyl floor tiles and roofing felt. Under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Asbestos use is banned in spray on applications over 1% on building structures, conduits and pipes. Asbestos use is also banned in wall patching compounds and artificial fire embers. Formaldehyde is still found today in bonding agents and adhesives. If your home is older, it may be the case that some of these materials are present in greater concentrations. Over time, exposure to asbestos and formaldehyde can cause a myriad of health problems.
Some Solutions
In order to improve IAQ, it is advised that homeowners ventilate their homes on a regular basis. Have your HVAC system inspected by a professional, to ensure that it is working at optimal efficiency. Consider having your home checked, for all of the pollutants mentioned above and remove them from your home.