The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Environmental research discloses a surprising and disturbing factor in our health - the quality of air indoor is much more important than ever suspected. Scientists in many countries have claimed that indoor air is often two to five times more polluted than outdoor air and can be up to 1,000 times dirtier. According to Canada Sanitary Organizations’ research, 68% diseases are caused by indoor pollutions & about 80% to 90% cancers concern with living environment or living habits.

Given that many of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors, this is a serious health concern.

Sources of indoor pollutants

When we hear the words 'air pollution', we think of smog, auto emissions, factory smoke, etc. Recent research suggests that we may have been looking in the wrong places. Environmental scientists claim that the real risks to our health are much closer to home. It is indoor air quality that has the greater impact.

1. Atomospheric pollutants indoor. I.e., dusts, karaburan, metal scraps, ozone, nitrogen oxide, etc.
2. Wastes of human metabolism & volatilizations from other life offal. I.e. dusts, batting, fiber, louse, human odors, mite, germs, bacteria, acarid, etc.
3. From conditioner. I. E. mildew, legionnella, acarid, etc.
4. From pets. I. E. odors, hair, germs, helminth, scurf, etc.
5. Smoking. The smoke components are quite complicated. It’s been analyzed more than 800 materials most of which cause cancers.
6. Building materials & decoration materials, Furniture & electric appliance release harmful gas. I.e. aerotex, benzene series, & other radiation materials.
7. Cosmetics, verminicide, detergent, pastil, etc. from daily articles
8. Building pollutants. For example, anti-freezing fluid’s major constituent carbamide will cause ammonia pollution.
9. Harmful or poisonous gas released during burning or heating indoor. For example, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone.

Classifications of pollutants indoors

1, Harmful, poisonous, odor gas,
2, Floating particles. Particles’ size bigger than 20mm are called fallen dust while Those smaller than 10mm are called floating dust.
3, Germs, virus, mite and other air pollutants.

THE PARTICLES IN OUR AIR

The minute, invisible particles in the air are a primary threat to health. They evade the body's filtering mechanisms and penetrate deep into lung tissue, carrying toxic substances which are absorbed in the body.

The harmful particles, which include dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen, provoke allergic reactions in many people.

Some allergic reactions are severe - asthma is the best known and one of the most serious. Other allergic conditions are subtle chronic conditions. Runny nose, watery eyes, recurring headaches, lethargy, even snoring can all be symptoms of allergy. Many people endure these conditions, not knowing that they are allergy-related and that prevention is readily available.

GASES - INVISIBLE RISKS

Gases are as much a risk to our health as airborne particles.

Among the greatest concerns to health are the volatile organic compounds, or VOC's. These gases, up to 500 of them, are dispersed from cleaning solutions, carpets, building materials and many chemicals commonly used around the home.

Formaldehyde is the chief concern among the VOC's, as it is so widely used. Its effects show up normally in itching of the eyes, ears and throat, but it is implicated more seriously as a carcinogen.

TAKE ACTION FOR CLEAN AIR

Every house or place of business abounds with potential air quality risks. It is important to deal with these risks the intelligent way.

The first step is to prevent the circulation of contaminants at their source. Your home environment is unique. Indoor air quality will depend on humidity, the age of your home, the type of heating, the choice of furnishing and insulation materials, the presence of pets or smokers, and so forth. Balanced management of your whole home environment is the constructive way to healthy living. Keep aware of the risk factors and avoid them where you can.

After controlling the sources, you can now take aggressive action to remove indoor air pollution from your home.