Frequently Asked Questions?
- What's all the fuss about "indoor"
air pollution? I always thought "outdoor" air
pollution was the main problem?
- Are some individuals at greater risk to indoor air pollution than others?
- What causes indoor air quality problems?
- How does indoor air pollution affect your health?
- What are some of the major indoor air pollutants that might be found in a home or office building?
- How does one go about improving indoor air quality in a home or office building?
- What help is available from DEIAQ to the homeowner or office worker dealing with a possible indoor air problem?
- How can a homeowner get an on-site indoor air survey?
1. What's all the fuss about "indoor" air pollution? I always thought "outdoor" air pollution was the main problem?
Scientific evidence indicates the air within homes and other buildings
can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air, and in
some cases 1,000 times more polluted. Today people are spending nearly
90% of their time indoors, a great increase as opposed to twenty years
ago. Thus, the "dose" ( i.e. the concentration of pollutants
multiplied by the time in that environment) is typically greater indoors
than outdoors. This results in a greater health risk due to exposure
to air pollution indoors than outdoors.
Top of Page
2. Are some individuals at greater risk to indoor air pollution than others?
Yes, individuals who spend the longest periods of time indoors are often
those most susceptible to the adverse effects of indoor air pollution.
Such groups include babies, the elderly, the infirm or bedridden, and
those with chronic illnesses, such as respiratory or cardiovascular disease.
Top of Page
3. What causes indoor air quality problems?
Two main items:
1. Pollutant sources: building materials and furnishings; biologicals;
products for household cleaning, personal care, or hobbies; central heating
and cooling systems and humidification devices; pesticides; oil, gas,
kerosene, or wood combustion sources.
2. Poor ventilation: If too little outdoor air enters a building, pollutants
can accumulate to levels that can pose health and discomfort problems.
Indoor air quality began to decline in the 1970's after the "energy
crisis" prompted the building of "tight" houses and office
buildings. Spaces around doors and windows where outside air might previously
have leaked through are now often sealed by caulking and weather-stripping
. The introduction of fresh "makeup" air through air handling
systems many times is reduced or even eliminated to save the cost of the
energy to heat or cool this fresh air. Indoor air pollutants can not easily
escape these tightly constructed buildings.
Top of Page
4. How does indoor air pollution affect your health?
Health effects can include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches,dizziness, fatigue, and allergy-type symptoms. Usually these symptoms are short-term, and disappear when the person is away from the source. More serious symptoms such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever can also affect some individuals after exposure to certain indoor air pollutants. There is a tremendous amount of variation in the sensitivity among individuals to indoor air pollutants. Some people may never experience any symptoms while others may truly suffer. Because many symptoms may be difficult to distinguish from viruses, or allergies care must be taken to determine if symptoms are worse while in a particular building versus outside, or whether they dissipate when a person is away for several days.
Top of Page
5. What are some of the major indoor air pollutants that might be found in a home or office building?
Typical pollutants include:
- Environmental Tobacco Smoke
- Biologicals: Bacteria, mold and mildew, viruses, animal dander, pollen, dust mites. These are more likely to be a problem in buildings with high humidity, or water-damage.
- Carbon Monoxide: From unvented gas heaters; leaking chimneys or furnaces; gas stoves; automobile exhaust. Low levels can cause headaches, flu-like symptoms. High levels can be fatal.
- Respirable Particles: From fireplaces, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, and smoking.
- Organic Gases: From household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.
- Formaldehyde: Usually from pressed wood products (hardwood plywood paneling, particle board, fiberboard) and furniture made with pressed wood products; or urea-formaldehyde foam insulation.
- Pesticides: Products used to kill household pests, and lawn and garden products that may drift or be tracked into the house.
Top of Page
6. How does one go about improving indoor air quality in a home or office building?
Indoor air quality problems within a building can generally be resolved by providing sufficient fresh outside air and by eliminating major sources of contamination within the building.
Top of Page
7. What help is available from DEIAQ to the homeowner or office worker dealing with a possible indoor air problem?
The IAQ Program provides phone consultations, self-help literature, and on-site workplace surveys.
DEIAQ also offers homeowners guidance in locating IAQ consultants who perform home surveys.
Top of Page
8. How can a homeowner get an on-site indoor air survey?
Call us today: 352-628-5700 or 1-866-9NEWAIR.
Top of Page
