Indoor Air Quality

With Americans spending an estimated 90 percent of their time indoors, the majority of the public does not realize that the air in their homes can contribute to health problems, according to the American Lung Association. Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of or worsen chronic lung diseases such as lung cancer or asthma. In addition, it can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. People who already have respiratory diseases are at greater risk for problems caused by poor indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality also can damage your home. Wood floors and furniture often crack when the air in your home is too dry.

If you have poor indoor air quality, we can help. There are many IAQ products to help increase the quality of air in your home, making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Check out our IAQ information, if you’d like more information, contact us.

Below is an interesting article from the American Lung Association:

How Much Do You Know About Air Quality?

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified indoor air quality as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. Yet a survey commissioned on behalf of the American Lung Association Health House program and 3M in April 2002 found that many of those questioned are not aware of: (a) the potential dangers associated with poor indoor air; (b) steps homeowners can take to improve air quality in the home.

Five hundred forty homeowners nationwide responded to the survey, which has a +/- six percent margin of error. Key findings appear below:

• More than 50 percent of Americans are not aware that poor indoor air quality is one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. And nearly 25 percent of Americans are not concerned about the air quality in their homes and the impact it can have on their family’s health.

• Less than 20 percent of Americans believe that the air inside their homes is more polluted than the air outdoors. However, the Environmental Protection Agency states that levels of air pollution inside the home can be two to five times higher — and occasionally up to 100 times higher — than outdoor levels.

• More than 70 percent of Americans have forced air heating and/or central air in their homes. Yet nearly 50 percent do not change the filter in their heating/air conditioning unit every 2 to 3 months as recommended. And 10 percent have never replaced the filter in their heating/air conditioning unit.

• Only about 11 percent of Americans purchase high efficiency furnace filters, despite the fact that high efficiency filters can be more effective than standard fiberglass filters in capturing pollen, pet dander, smoke and other potentially harmful micro particles.

• More than 50 percent of Americans are not aware that forced air heating and air conditioning units should be inspected annually by a professional. And more than 30 percent of Americans have never had their forced air heating or air conditioning units inspected.

• Nearly 75 percent of Americans live with someone who has allergies, asthma, emphysema or another respiratory illness.

· • Only 27 percent of Americans have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

- How Much Do You Know About Air Quality?, 3M News and the American Lung Association. www.lungusa.org. July, 2004.