Why is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) a Growing Concern?

Contamination of indoor air has been well documented and is a major area of concern. Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks. Dr. James Marsden; a Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University mentions that “unless we improve the safety and quality of the air we breathe, the improvements in life expectancy may be reversed and we may see real declines in the next century”.

Homeowners today are increasingly concerned about the indoor air quality (IAQ) of their homes. Issues like mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals have received greater attention than ever as poor indoor air quality has been linked to a host of health problems.

In many homes, the quality of indoor air can be worse than outdoor air.
• Have you ever stopped to think about whether the air you're breathing at home is healthy?
• Do you frequently have headaches or feel nauseous or tired in your home?
• Do you feel better when you leave the house?

Usually the best way to address this risk is to control or eliminate the sources of pollutants, and to ventilate a home with clean outdoor air. The ventilation method may, however, be limited by weather conditions or undesirable levels of contaminants contained in outdoor air. If these measures are insufficient, an air cleaning or purifying device is useful. Air cleaning devices are intended to remove pollutants from indoor air.

Signs of Possible Home Indoor Air Quality Problems

Be alert for these signs:

• Unusual and noticeable odors, stale or stuffy air
• Noticeable lack of air movement
• Dirty or faulty central heating or air conditioning equipment
• Damaged flue pipes or chimneys
• Unvented combustion air sources for fossil fuel appliances
• Excessive humidity
• Tightly constructed or remodeled home
• Presence of molds and mildew
• Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, use of household or hobby products, or moving into a new home
• Feeling noticeably healthier outside the home

What Causes Indoor Air Problems?

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.