Silent ha zard s

to your health & home lurk in the air

 When you hear the word pollution usually the first pic ture that comes to

mind are large clouds of smoke billowing from fac tor y smoke stacks or a line of

countless vehicles spewing exhaust fumes. In fac t, the majority of people still

blame poor indoor air quality on outdoor air pollution. But this is simply not true.  

 Did you know that outdoor air pollution only counts for a fraction of indoor air pollution?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the

average home can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.

 Invisible pollutants produced by common household substances, plus dust and excess

humidity that get trapped in today's houses, can increase your risk of chronic respiratory illness

and your home's risk of serious structural damage. Today's well-insulated homes often lack

the ability to "breathe" freely. Trapped, stale air and excess humidity can lead to mold build-up,

unpleasant odors, condensation on windows, and even structural damage to your home.

I

nvisible pollutants produced by common household substances,  factors including length of time of exposure and the level of actual

plus dust and excess humidity that get trapped in today's houses,  exposure.

can increase your risk of chronic respiratory illness and your  Ways to reduce VOC levels in your home

home's risk of serious structural damage. Today's well-insulated

Increase the ventilation while using products containing VOC's.

homes often lack the ability to "breathe" freely. Trapped, stale air  Follow label directions closely and do not store opened containers

and excess humidity can lead to mold build-up, unpleasant odors,  within the home. Try to buy the exact amount needed so there will

condensation on windows, and even structural damage to your  not be any leftovers. If you find you have a formaldehyde offender,

home.

remove the item and if that is not possible seal all of the item's

Pervasive irritants such as dust, dust

exposed surfaces. It is recommended that

mites, cigarette smoke and other pollutants Some Common Indoor Pollutants VOC containing products be used outdoors,

commonly found in household air may increase According to the Environmental

if at all possible. The EPA advises people to

the risk of chronic respiratory illness, allergies, Protection Agency

rarely use products containing methylene

sinusitis, frequent headaches, coughing and

chloride because this chemical is known to

1. Asbestos

asthma. According to the American Lung

cause cancer. Common products containing

Association the most effective ways to control   2. Carbon Monoxide

methylene chloride include; adhesives,

humidity and remove excess moisture and   3. Formaldehyde/Pressed

paint strippers and aerosol spray paints.

pollution levels from your home, apart from

Another known cancer causing chemical is

Wood Products

source control, are ventilation and filtration   4. Household Cleaning/Personal Care/

benzene. Sources of benzene are: tobacco

of circulating air.

smoke, paint supplies, stored fuels, and auto

Hobby Products

The causes are varied, but volatile organic   5. Lead

emissions from an attached garage.

compounds (VOCs) are some of the most   6. Pesticides

Recently dry cleaned items emit

common contributors to indoor air pollution.   7. Radon

perchloroethylene. This solvent used to clean

VOCs can be found in many household

garments has been shown to cause cancer

8. Secondhand Smoke

products including paints and lacquers,

in animals. Studies have shown that homes

9. Fireplaces, heaters and stoves

plywood, particleboard, adhesives, paint

that have dry-cleaned garments have levels

strippers, insulation, paneling, and flooring.  10. Paint/ paint thinners and lacquers

of this chemical in them. Perchloroethylene

Thanks to misinformation, many people

is also emitted while the garment is worn.

believe that carpeting and rugs are a big contributor to poor indoor  Dry cleaners try to recapture as much of this chemical as possible

air. This actually isn't the case. According to the Carpet and Rug  and some do a better job than others. If your garments have a

Institute (CRI), carpet is one of the lowest emitters of volatile organic  strong chemical odor you should try a different dry cleaner.

compounds in the home.

Gases leak from even closed containers and for this reason you

According to studies conducted by the EPA, the level of VOC's is  should discard partially full containers and any leftover supplies.

2 to 5 times greater inside a home than outside. It doesn't matter  This one step could be the best way to lower levels of VOC's in your

if the home is in a rural or metropolitan area. Additionally, it was  home. Be sure to dispose of the item correctly. Never pour liquids

found that while people are using the offending products the level  down a storm drain or simply toss in the garbage. Toxic waste should

is much higher and these higher concentrations remain in the air  be taken to your community toxic waste site. Some communities

only accept these items on special days. If your community does not

long after their use is discontinued.

Some of the health effects of VOC's include nose, throat and  have a toxic waste collection day you should work to organize one.

eye irritations, nausea, dizziness, and liver, kidney and central  You can learn more about indoor air pollution at www.epa.gov/iaq

nervous system damage. There is evidence that some organics  and there is an indoor air fact sheet on Sick Building Syndrome at

cause cancer in animals and some are known or suspected to cause  www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html

cancer to humans as well. The level of effect depends on several

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