Indoor Air Quality
Over the past decades,
there has been and increased concern with Indoor Air quality (IAQ) in both the environmental health and safety field and general
public. Indoor Air Quality refers to the quality of air within public buildings and private homes. Poor IAQ or "Sick
Building Syndrome" are terms used whenever the occupants of these areas experience adverse health affects that subside
upon leaving the building or home. The symptoms may include headaches, itching burning eyes, skin irritation, nasal congestion,
throat irritation, and some time nausea.
Many different types of indoor pollutants have been implicated
as the sources of IAQ problems including: airborne dust, bioaerosols, carbon dioxide(CO2), carbon monoxide(CO), environmental
tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, ozone (O3), radon, and volatile organic compounds (VOC's). Other environmental factors such
as ambient temperature, relative humidity, noise, and ventilation, also contribute to the quality and comfort of your work
or home environment.
Airborne Dust
Airborne dust is typically comprised of
particles and fibers that harmlessly float about in our daily environment. Usually do not create health risks, and are no
safety concern. Under certain conditions large concentrations of airborne dust can become a problem to the occupants of the
indoor environment.
Bioaerosols
The term bioaerosols refers to both living
and non living biological air contaminants. This can include mold, or mildew ( fungi), bacteria, viruses, algae, animal dander,
dust mite allergens, and pollen. These contaminants move through the air and are most of the time invisible.
Many IAQ problems begin as moisture problems such as leaks, floods, or excessive humidity. These moist conditions or locations
are a breeding ground for these organisms such as mold and mildews to grow rapidly. These conditions can be found in many
locations such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and appliances such as humidifiers, and air conditioners, and some carpets, and
furniture. Mold and mildew can also grow in poorly maintained ventilation system in buildings, and homes. These contaminants
can be spread through out the space by the blower system.
How Can I Reduce Exposure to Bioaerosols?
There are several ways to help reduce bioaerosols in your home and work place.
1.
Use exhaust fans that are vented to the outside in kitchens and bathrooms in your home.
2.
Make sure your dryer is vented to the outside.
3. Make sure
that the humidity is between 30% to 60% (if it is not get your system checked for proper operation)
4.
Dry off wet surfaces, and correct any water leaks.
5. Thoroughly
clean carpets and make sure they dry completely.
6. Dust mites, pollens,
pet dander, and other allergy causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated through regular cleaning.
7.
Dust mites, animals dander's, and allergy causing agents can be greatly reduced by installing pleated filters
or a in line filter system (i.e. Spaceguard, Honeywell, and others)
8. Make
sure you crawl spaces (attics, or under the house) are ventilated well to prevent moisture from occurring.
9.
Have your system cleaned, and inspected on a regular basic to insure that there is not moisture, mold, and mildew
building up.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon dioxide is and odorless, colorless
gas that is a by product of normal human breathing. Exhaled breath from building occupants is an important source for carbon
dioxide indoors. High concentrations of carbon dioxide can be an indicator of poor air circulation or ventilation.
Normal outdoor carbon dioxide concentrations are typically around 350ppm (parts per million) an indoor concentration of
greater than 1000 parts per million is an indication of an indoor air problem. A concentration below 1000ppm indicates that
the ventilation is adequate to deal with the normal amounts of CO2. How ever don't get the feeling that because you co2
levels are good that you don't have an IAQ problem there are other contaminates that can be causing problems.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the body's ability
to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. It is produces by the incomplete combustion of fuels. These fuels do not have to
be gas! They can be firewood, or charcoal on the grille. It can also be introduced in the home or building by lawnmowers,
or cars running in the garage, and tobacco smoke.
Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas which inhibits the body
from distributing oxygen to the blood stream. Depending on the amount inhaled the symptoms may range from fatigue, headache,
and weakness, to death. The problem, with these symptoms is that they are sometimes confused with flu type symptoms. The
very young, and elderly are affected more than others.
VOC's ( Volatile Organic Compounds)
Vos's are organic compounds which can be the source of indoor air problems when concentrations exceed normal levels.
Some of the sources of VOC's include personnel care products like hair spray, or spray deodorant, cleaning fluids, paints,
pest control chemicals, and pressed wood products. Indoor levels of VOC's can be kept at normal levels by buying products
that are low emitting when possible. High VOC concentrations can be diluted by increasing ventilation.
Temperature and Humidity
The temperature and humidity in a home or building can directly affect
the quality of the air inside the space. Air that is too warm or humid can breed mold, and mildew, and the warmth increases
the growth of these, not to mention be very uncomfortable to the occupant. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration,
and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE) has set standards for heating and air conditioning temperatures for the best air quality
these temperatures are winter (69-76 deg) summer ( 73-79 deg) with relative humilities from 30% to 60%. Heating and air conditioning
systems are designed to provide air at comfortable temperature and humidity levels. Free of indoor air contaminants. Improperly
operated or maintained systems can contribute to poor air quality.
How Can I Check My Air Quality?
There are IAQ companies that can place monitors in your home to record the air quality in your home or building. These
tests are quiet, and most of the time inexpensive, when compared to the medical bills paid out for allergies and just not
feeling good in general. Make sure you ask if they have the testing equipment and not just let them assume you do or do not
have IAQ problems. There are several items that can be installed in your home or building to help minimize or eliminate most
of your IAQ problems, some of these are.
1. As
mentioned above upgrade your filter system to at least pleated filters. This will help with the dust, and airborne particles.
2. Ultra Violet lights. These lights help control mold and
mildew on coils and in plenums of your air system.
3. Whole
house ventilation systems. These systems will take air from outside, cool it down, filter it, and distribute it through
out the space.
4. Guardian Air system. Unlike
the ultra violet light the guardian air system creates a shield which is distributed through out the space which kills all
of the bacteria's, viruses, and molds and mildews through a process that breaks down the cell which makes them die.
It not only kills bacteria in the air but also will kill bacteria on surfaces like counter tops ect. This product also helps
control odors which by the way are by products of bad IAQ.
5. Get
your air conditioning company to give you a maintenance program.
Summary
It is important to remember that the majority of IAQ problems are relatively minor. This means that the occupants suffer
minor health issues like colds and flu symptoms. IAQ is a relatively new field and much of which is known has come about in
the last 20 years there is much more research being done today to find out about this growing problem. Please visit the sites
on our links page to find out more about this growing problem.
Air-Care Southeast Inc. provides a complete
IAQ service with trained service technicians to place the monitors, and install any upgrades that you might want to install.
Please contact us to schedule monitor placement, or for any questions you might have about Indoor Air Quality.
For
more information visit:
epa.gov/iaq
epa.gov/earthlr6/6pd/iaq/index.htm (Texas EPA)
lungusa.org American Lung Association
osha.gov/sltc/indoorairquality/index.htm (Osha)
